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BX  9793  .B616  16  1905 
Blinn,  Henry  Clay,  1824- 

1905. 
In  memoriam.  Elder  Henry  C. 

Blinn,  1824-1905 


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'in  memoriam 


Elder  Henry  C.  Blinn 


1824-1905 


CONCORD,  N.  H. 

RUMFORD  PRINTING  CO. 

1905 


INSCRIBED 

TO  THE  MEMORY 

OF 

OUR  BELOVED  "ELDER  HENRY" 

BY  THE 

HOME  CIRCLE 

AT 

EAST  CANTERBURY 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


"  Finally,  brethren,  farewell.  Be  perfect, 
be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one  minJ,  live 
in  peace;  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace' 
shall  be  with  you."     (Cor.  13:2.) 


AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES. 
Henry  C.  Blinn. 
The  writer  of  the  following  pages  was  born  in  the 
City  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  July  16,  1824. 

My  father,  James  ]\I.  Blinn,  was  the  captain  of  a 
merchant  ship  that  sailed  between  Providence  and  the 
West  Indies.  At  that  date  the  trade  was  a  matter  of 
as  great  interest  as  is  the  trade  of  today  between  the 
United  States  and  China.  His  last  voyage  was  in  the 
year  1825,  at  which  time  he  was  taken  sick  and  died 
of  a  fever  at  Kingston,  Jamaica,  at  the  age  of  36 
years.  His  funeral  was  conducted  by  the  American 
residents  on  the  island,  by  whom  he  was  kindly  laid 
away  in  his  last  resting-place. 

T^Iy  mother's  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Williams,  and 
her  early  home  was  in  the  state  of  Connecticut.  Seven 
children  were  included  in  the  family :  James  M.,  Jr. ; 
Robert,  Amy  T.,  Sarah  A.,  Joseph  T.,  William  C.  and 
Henry  C. 

A  superabundance  of  wealth  was  neither  the  good 
nor  ill  fortune  of  the  family,  and  yet  so  much  of  this 
world's  blessings  was  possessed  as  to  be  able  to  live 
very  comfortably.     A  moral  tone  pervaded  the  family 

3 


and  the  cliiklren  had  the  care  and  kindness  of  good 
parents,  of  whose  instruction  they  had  no  cause  to  be 
ashamed. 

My  first  note  of  special  interest  will  refer  to  the 
visit  of  General  Lafayette  to  this  country  in  182-4--'25. 
Those  who  were  better  informed  on  this  point  than  the 
writer,  say  that  I  was  carried  in  the  arms  of  my 
father  to  see  the  procession  as  it  passed  thi'ough  the 
city.  I,  however,  failed  to  catch  the  thread  of  mem- 
ory till  at  the  age  of  six  years,  when  a  pupil  in  an 
infant  school.  How  much  I  learned  or  how  well  I 
behaved  is,  at  this  date,  blotted  from  memory.  From 
the  primary,  I  passed  into  the  City  Public  School; 
but  was  permitted  to  enjoy  the  privilege  only  a  few 
years,  as  it  was  found  that  so  large  a  family  of  chil- 
dren was  fast  reducing  the  small  income  that  had  been 
left  in  the  charge  of  my  mother.  She  was  induced  to 
buy  a  ncAV  house  and  allow  a  mortgage  on  the  prop- 
erty, which  resulted  as  is  usual  in  such  cases.  The 
mortgage  ate  up  the  property  and  she  was  forced  to 
retire  to  a  more  humble  dwelling. 

The  record  of  accidents  which  have  fallen  to  my 
lot  begins  quite  early  in  life.  Although  not  occurring 
very  often,  or  being  of  very  tragic  character,  and  all 
passing  without  fatal  result,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to 
refer  to  one  of  the  most  serious.  "When  eight  years 
of  age,  while  attempting  to  cross  a  carriage-way,  a 

4 


horse  and  chaise  suddenly  turned  from  the  street  and 
I  was  thrown  to  the  ground  and  the  carriage  passed 
over  my  body.  Two  ribs  and  the  right  arm  were 
broken  and  a  severe  wound  made  on  the  head.  As  I 
was  carried  home,  I  knew  nothing  of  the  dangers  of 
the  accident  at  that  time. 

My  first  remembrance  of  being  able  to  own  a  book 
was  of  one  bought  at  the  store  of  an  old  man  for  one 
cent.  The  aged  book-seller  had,  in  his  printing  office, 
a  variety  of  small  picture-books,  which  he  sold  for  one 
and  two  pennies  each.  Previous  to  this  date,  I  had 
received  a  few  little  story-books  as  presents,  but  this 
one  I  bought  with  my  own  money,  and  for  it  I  paid 
one  cent.  As  small  as  it  was,  it  had  several  illustra- 
tions. For  the  running  of  errands  I  gathered  a  few 
pennies  from  time  to  time  and  purchased  many  more 
of  these  little  books,  and  when  I  had  saved  enough  to 
be  the  owner  of  a  "Mother  Goose's  Melodies"  and  a 
"Peter  Prim's  Pride,"  I  thought  myself  quite 
wealthy. 

It  was  during  the  summer  of  1833  that  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson,  vis- 
ited the  City  of  Providence.  A  steamboat  from  Fall 
River  brought  him  to  the  city  and  thousands  met  at 
the  landing  to  do  him  honor.  The  city  was  filled  with 
music  as  the  procession  moved  through  the  several 
streets.     It  was  one  of  the  wonderful  things  to  see  a 

5 


president,  and  this  occasion  gave  me  an  opportunity 
veiy  rare  indeed. 

As  a  party  was  preparing  to  take  a  sail  down  the 
Providence  River,  in  which  I  was  to  accompany  my 
mother,  there  was  great  joy  in  the  anticipation,  and 
everything  was  ready  for  the  company  to  go  on  board. 
In  my  haste  to  reach  the  boat,  I  made  a  misstep  and 
fell  into  the  water  where  it  was  several  feet  deep.  I 
was  more  frightened  than  hurt,  but  this  incident 
caused  a  great  disappointment  to  those  who  were 
obliged  to  remain  at  home  to  redress  and  care  for  the 
little  boy. 

Although  my  parents  were  not  members  of  any 
church,  I  was  permitted  to  enter  the  Universalist  Sun- 
day-school on  Westminster  Street  and  to  attend  the 
church  service,  then  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
Wm.  Balch.  Subsequently,  I  entered  the  Unitarian 
Sunday-school,  as  my  sister,  Sarah,  Avas  a  member  of 
that  church.  Being  privileged  to  take  books  from  the 
library,  I  became  very  much  interested. 

At  12  years  of  age  I  was  placed  in  the  store  of  Butts 
&  Lockwood  as  an  errand  boy.  They  were  merchant 
tailors  and  rented  a  room  on  the  lower  floor  of  the 
"Arcade."  This  deprived  me  of  attending  school, 
and  on  this  account  I  felt  very  sad.  However,  it  had 
become  necessary  that  I  should  begin  to  earn  a  little 
toward  a  personal  support. 

6 


The  family  had  become  somewhat  scattered.  James 
M.  had  died,  Robert  had  followed  the  sea  for  several 
years  and  was  the  first  mate  of  a  large  ship;  Joseph 
was  on  a  farm  in  Connecticut;  the  two  sisters  were 
married,  and  William  was  a  sailor  on  a  coasting  ves- 
sel. As  I  had  no  desire  for  an  experience  on  board 
ship,  I  found  employment  in  the  city.  My  business 
was  to  open  the  store  in  the  morning,  build  the  fires, 
sweep  the  room,  and  then  through  the  day  and  even- 
ing carry  garments  to  the  makers  or  to  customers  in 
every  part  of  the  city. 

This  first  experience  in  the  business  relations  of  the 
world  did  not  please  me,  especially  as  I  was  obliged  to 
go  long  distances  at  a  late  hour  of  the  night  and  when 
the  streets  were  poorly  lighted.  Stories  of  kidnappers 
were  not  uncommon.  They  were  represented  as  being 
a  class  of  men  who  stole  children  and  sold  them  for 
slaves. 

There  was  an  object  in  having  the  children  hear 
these  fables,  as  it  evidently  kept  them  more  at  their 
own  homes.  The  effect,  however,  upon  the  minds  of 
the  children,  did  more  harm  than  good,  as  these  kid- 
nappers or  "bug-a-boos,"  who  were  said  to  steal  chil- 
dren, did  not  exist.  Such  incentives  to  fright,  no 
doubt,  increased  the  timidity  of  the  listeners  and  made 
the  dark,  stormy  nights  doubly  frightful. 

In  1836,  the  "Arcade"  was  considered  one  of  the 
7 


most  wonderful  buildings  in  New  England,  and  so 
late  as  1899  it  is  referred  to  as  a  place  that  would 
interest  everj'  one  who  has  occasion  to  visit  the  City 
of  Pro\'idence.  The  rooms  on  the  second  floor,  in 
1838,  were  but  partially  occupied.  One,  however,  is 
fresh  in  my  memory,  and  that  was  the  office  of  the 
Anti-Slavery  Society.  In  the  large  windows  could  be 
seen  some  attractive  illustrations,  while  kind-hearted 
men  who  were  in  attendance  presented  some  of  the 
little  anti-slavery  books  to  all  who  wished  to  read 
them. 

From  these  tracts  came  the  first  impressions  to  my 
mind  of  the  wrongs  and  the  cruelty  of  slavery,  and 
years  have  only  increased  the  intensity  of  these  first 
lessons.  i\Iany  years  have  come  and  gone  since  the 
reading  of  those  books '  on  Universal  Brotherhood. 
Wonderful  changes  have  taken  place,  and  a  deeper 
love  for  humanity  has  been  developed  in  the  mind. 
Human  beings  are  no  longer  held  in  chains  of  slavery 
and  bought  and  sold  like  cattle. 

One  of  the  most  worthy  pioneers  of  that  sacred 
cause,  who  maintained  till  the  last  his  love  for  univer- 
sal freedom,  has  recently  passed  to  the  higher  life 
from  the  City  of  Concord,  N.  H.  (1898.)  Parker 
Pillsbury  was  an  unflinching  advocate  for  those  who 
were  under  either  temporal  or  spiritual  bonds,  and 


8 


became  through  a  long  and  useful  life  the  friend  of 
man. 

The  Emancipation  Proclamation,  that  message  from 
God,  has  made  the  United  States  a  free  country. 

At  the  age  of  13  years  I  was  accepted  as  an  appren- 
tice by  Edward  P.  Knowles,  a  jeweler,  who  lived  in 
the  north  part  of  the  City  of  Providence.  Being  the 
youngest  apprentice,  my  business  largely  consisted  in 
doing  chores.  In  this  shop  were  the  master,  a  hired 
man,  three  apprentices  and  the  writer.  Some  of  the 
work  was  gold-plated  and  some  gilt. 

During  the  hours  for  work,  from  7  a.  m.  to  12  m. 
and  from  1  to  6  p.  m.,  no  conversation  was  allowed 
among  the  employes^  and  this  term  of  silence  was 
sometimes  quite  severe.  Such  rigid  discipline,  how- 
ever, required  the  master's  presence  for  enforcement. 
When  he  was  not  in  the  shop  the  business  was  more 
or  less  neglected  by  the  journeyman  and  by  the  ap- 
prentices. As  our  master  held  the  office  of  city  coun- 
cilman, he  was  obliged  to  visit  the  city  hall  quite  fre- 
quently, a  distance  of  nearly  a  mile.  This  trip  was 
certain  to  occupy  several  hours,  so  that  absolute  quiet- 
ness was  not  recognized  during  this  term.  He  was 
also  subject  to  severe  attacks  of  headache,  and  when 
these  dispensations  came  on,  the  apprentices  counted 
for  themselves  two  whole  days,  and  these  were  hailed 
with  joy. 

9 


AVliile  I  remained  in  this  place,  about  eighteen 
months,  I  was  requested  to  attend  the  Baptist  Church, 
that  being  the  place  of  family  worship.  All  the  ap- 
prentices were  expected  to  attend  some  church,  and 
any  departure  from  this  advice  was  severely  rebuked. 

I  was  kindly  offered  the  privilege  of  attending  an 
evening  school  during  the  winter.  I  was  anxious  to 
secure  this  opportunity,  and  every  evening  was  ex- 
pected to  carry  my  books,  a  slate  and  a  small  tin  petti- 
coat-lamp, as  this  was  the  usual  custom.  After  I  had 
ascertained  the  distance,  which  was  about  one  mile, 
and  the  obscure  section  of  the  city  where  the  school 
was  located,  the  pleasure  was  very  much  lessened.  I 
made  the  journey  one  evening,  but  could  not  be 
induced  to  repeat  it.  It  was  too  far  to  go  alone  on 
dark,  stormy  nights,  as  I  was  not  only  timid  in  mak- 
ing the  journey  so  late  on  streets  sparsely  settled,  but 
was  also  too  thinly  clad  for  the  severity  of  the 
weather. 

By  this  I  lost  the  opportunity  to  add  to  a  limited 
stock  of  education,  very  much  to  my  regret.  At  this 
date,  however,  I  could  read  and  write  quite  well.  I 
had  commenced  the  study  of  the  intermediate  geog- 
raphy and  had  learned  a  very  little  in  arithmetic.  I 
also  owned  a  baker's  dozen  or  more  of  books,  which 
served  to  keep  me  employed  in  reading  during  the. 
evenings.     Occasionally,  I  borrowed  a  book  from  a 

10 


companion,  and  this,  in  part,  compensated  for  the  loss 
of  the  school. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1838,  I  began  to  grow 
uneasy  in  regard  to  my  place  of  business  and  was  so 
discontented  that  it  became  a  matter  of  investigation. 
In  the  first  place,  the  associations  were  not  congenial. 
I  thought  I  could  find  a  place  where  I  might  earn  my 
living  and  at  the  same  time  obtain  an  education.  My 
master  seemed  surprised  and  urged  me  to  remain,  at 
the  same  time  promising  increased  wages  and  better 
care  while  learning  the  trade.  My  mind,  however, 
had  become  fixed  to  find  a  new  home,  and  I  accord- 
ingly bade  him  farewell  on  the  last  of  August,  1838, 
nor  did  I  meet  him  again  till  the  year  1878,  when,  a 
Shaker,  I  called  at  his  residence  Avhile  on  a  visit  to 
the  City  of  Providence. 

Fortunately,  the  opportunity  was  soon  presented 
for  the  betterment  of  my  condition,  and  in  this  comeis 
the  ministration  of  the  good  spirit.  It  opened  the 
way  for  me  to  receive  a  religious  education  and  a  bet- 
ter situation  than  I  had  ever  enjoyed.  As  I  look  back 
on  these  preliminary  steps  toward  a  more  advanced 
life,  I  can  trace  the  guidance  of  a  holy  light  that  led 
me  from  a  lesser  to  a  greater  privilege. 

"While  at  the  home  of  my  mother,  where  I  usually 
spent  a  portion  of  the  Sabbath,  I  observed  a  man  pass- 
ing so  quietly  on  the  street  and  being  dressed  so  differ- 

11 


ently  from  the  other  citizens  that  he  attracted  my  at- 
tention, and  at  the  same  time  awakened  in  my  mind 
an  interest  to  know  who  he  was  and  where  he  lived. 
I  saw  the  man  a  second  time,  and  soon  after  learned 
that  he  was  a  Shaker. 

It  then  became  a  puzzle  to  know  what  a  Shaker  was, 
and  why  he  was  in  the  cit}'.  A  great  many  Quakers 
resided  in  the  City  of  Providence,  and  it  was  no  un- 
usual occurrence  to  meet  them  from  day  to  day.  Al- 
though this  man  was  dressed,  in  part,  like  a  Quaker, 
yet  the  people  said  he  was  a  Shaker ;  but  no  one  could 
give  any  information  where  he  lived  or  concerning  his 
religious  belief. 

It  was  thought  very  singular  that  I  should  be  at- 
tracted toward  a  stranger,  and  why  I  was  I  could  not 
tell.  I  only  knew  this,  that  his  general  appearance 
pleased  me,  and  I  would  like  very  much  to  live  with 
him.  Not  long  after  this,  it  was  reported  that  a 
Shaker  was  on  a  visit  in  another  part  of  the  city,  and 
I  soon  persuaded  my  mother  to  go  with  me  and  see 
him.  The  visit  was  very  pleasant,  and  I  learned  that 
the  man  was  from  Canterbury,  in  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire,  some  120  miles  distant.  He  represented 
the  Shakers  as  being  a  very  kind  and  charitable  people 
who  were  engaged  in  farming  and  manufacturing, 
also  told  us  that  they  lived  in  large  families,  which 
sometimes  numbered  not  less  than  eighty  or  one  huu- 

13 


dred  persons.  The  conversation  soon  assured  us  that 
the  Shakers  were  willing  to  receive  good  boys  and 
girls  and,  by  adoption,  provide  for  them  an  excellent 
home.  The  stranger  said  that  three  of  his  children 
were  at  the  Shaker  Village,  and  that  he  had  arranged 
to  return  to  the  communit}^  within  a  short  time. 

His  story  was  very  interesting,  as  he  told  of  the 
Idndness  of  the  people,  of  their  religious  services,  of 
their  schools,  and  of  their  fields,  orchards  and  gar- 
dens; so  that  I  became  fully  determined  to  accom- 
pany him  to  his  home  in  New  Hampshire. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  my  departure  from  the 
city,  I  was  hurrying  at  an  early  hour  to  the  railroad 
station  on  India  Point.  It  was  the  journey  of  a  young 
Pilgrim,  after  many  hurried  farewells  to  dear  friends, 
some  of  whom  protested  against  the  wild  scheme  of 
going  among  the  mountains  of  New  Hampshire  to  find 
a  home,  and  to  be  entrusted  to  the  care  of  an  entire 
stranger,  while  others  dismissed  the  case  with  an 
anxious  hope  for  the  better. 

I  was  soon,  however,  on  my  way  to  Boston  in  com- 
pany with  the  Shaker,  Nathan  Willard,  as  he  had 
agreed  to  take  charge  of  me.  At  Boston  we  took  the 
cars  for  Lowell,  the  terminus  of  the  railroad  at  that 
date,  going  north.  From  Lowell,  we  rode  to  Concord, 
N.  H.,  in  a  stage,  and  then  hired  a  private  conveyance 
to  Shaker  Village.     Our  trip  from  Concord  was  over 

13 


the  pine  plains,  through  Loudon  Village  and  over 
Beck's  Hill.  On  reaching  this  last  elevated  spot,  the 
whole  of  the  Church  Famil}-  Avas  presented  to  view, 
and  the  presentation  was  a  beautiful  picture  on  the 
mind.  At  that  date,  the  white  and  light  yellow  houses 
with  bright  red  roofs,  heightened  the  beauty  of  the 
village  very  much  and  to  my  youthful  mind,  after  a 
long  and  tedious  journey,  it  seemed  to  be  the  prettiest 
place  I  had  ever  seen. 

Everything  at  the  Shakers  was  new  and  strange, 
and  yet  they  received  me  w-iih  the  kindest  of  care.  'My 
first  impressions  of  the  place  and  the  people  were  very 
pleasant,  although  I  was  among  a  new  class  of  people, 
whose  language,  dress  and  manners  were  so  unlike 
those  of  the  city;  yet  their  kindness  found  access  to 
my  heart,  and  at  once  I  began  to  feel  quite  contented. 
That  the  people  said  yea  and  nay,  instead  of  yes  and 
no,  had  no  bearing  on  my  mind,  and  the  plainness  of 
their  dress  was  rather  agreeable  than  otherwise.  I 
soon  learned  that  my  home  would  be,  for  a  few  days, 
in  the  Trustees'  Office,  but  the  man  who  brought  me 
to  the  village  passed  on  to  the  Second  Family,  as  that 
was  his  home. 

We  subsequently  learned  that  some  of  the  officers 
thought  it  would  be' best  for  me  to  enter  the  Novitiate 
Order,  as  my  age  of  14  years  made  me  quite  too  old 
to  be  admitted  into  the  Church  relation.     This,  how- 

14 


ever,  was  soon  overruled  by  the  Elders,  and  I  was  per- 
mitted to  enjoy  a  home  in  the  First,  or  Church 
Family. 

As  my  entrance  into  Shaker  Village  was  on  Sabbath 
morning,  September  9,  I  anticipated  it  would  be  very 
quiet,  as  indeed  it  was.  At  10  a.  m.,  I  attended  the 
religious  service  at  the  church,  and  was  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  order  of  the  exercises.  The  marching, 
singing  and  speaking  were  quite  unlike  anything  that 
I  had  ever  seen  or  heard ;  and  although  not  converted 
at  heart,  it  was  pleasing  and  I  felt  happy  under  the 
religious  influence.  A  large  number  of  spectators 
were  present  and  the  service  continued  about  an  hour. 

In  a  few  days  I  was  placed  under  the  charge  of  a 
young  man,  who  was  four  years  my  senior.  He  was 
engaged  in  sawing  staves  for  pails,  as  at  that  date  the 
family  made  about  1,000  pails  a  year  for  sale.  This 
proved  to  be  a  very  pleasant  place  to  work,  and  the 
business  continued  for  several  days. 

An  aged  Brother,  James  Johnson,  had  charge  of  the 
mill  and  the  wood-turning  machinery.  Brother  James 
was  the  associate  Elder,  and  he  manifested  quite  an 
interest  in  my  happiness,  as  well  as  in  my  general  pro- 
tection. After  being  allowed  to  attend  all  the  meetings 
and  to  enjoy  all  the  privileges  of  the  family  for  two 
weeks,  he,  no  doubt,  thought  it  was  about  time  for  me 
to  receive  the  first  lessons  that  were  considered  essen- 

15 


tial  for  a  Shaker  boy  to  learn.  I  was  sent  on  a  short 
errand  which  I  was  to  deliver  in  person  to  Brother 
James.  It  was  Saturday,  and  a  most  appropriate 
time  for  a  preparatory  work  for  the  Sabbath.  Brother 
James  very  kindly  detained  me  for  a  short  time  and 
then  informed  me  what  good  boys  were  expected  to 
do,  and  as  kindly  made  inquiries  concerning  my  gen- 
eral course  of  life  while  living  in  the  City  of  Provi- 
dence. 

This  was  my  initiatory  step  to  the  life  of  a  Shaker. 
]\Iy  guardian  exercised  very  pleasantly  the  spirit  of  a 
kind  father,  and  I  was  quite  old  enough  to  appreciate 
it  as  a  great  blessing.  The  unburdening  of  my  mind, 
if  this  interview  bore  any  likeness  to  a  work  of  that 
kind,  must  have  been  very  simple,  and  not  in  the  least 
a  spontaneous  work  of  the  heart,  with  which  I  after- 
wards became  familiar. 

When  the  hour  of  worship  came,  I  was  directed  to  a 
place  in  the  ranks,  and  then  took  part  in  some  of  the 
exercises.  As  I  was  very  much  at  home,  I  was  glad 
of  every  lesson  I  received ;  although  I  felt  awkward  in 
attempting  to  march  at  the  side  of  those  of  more  expe- 
rience. From  this  time,  I  began  to  receive  more  direct 
lessons  corresponding  to  my  temporal  and  spiritual 
necessities,  to  which  I  was  gladly  responsive. 

Later,  in  the  fall,  I  was  employed,  with  several  of 
my  own  age,  in  the  many  duties  of  the  large  family. 

16 


The  aged  Brother,  who  had  the  oversight  of  our  Avork 
on  the  farm,  was,  no  doubt,  somewhat  annoyed  with 
our  importunities  to  learn  the  time  of  day.  The  din- 
ner hour  was  a  specialty.  Hungry  and  tired  as  we 
sometimes  were,  and  yet  never  too  tired  to  run  a  full 
mile  if  T\'e  chanced  to  be  that  distance  from  home,  we 
would  keep  urging  the  good  old  man  to  tell  us  the 
hour  of  the  day. 

No  one  except  a  Trustee  would  be  expected  to  carry 
a  watch  in  those  days,  and  as  the  sun  was  our  only 
guide,  I  now  wonder  at  the  great  patience  exercised 
for  our  sakes,  as  our  manager  would,  time  after  time, 
stop  his  work  in  response  to  our  importunings  and, 
standing  erect,  pace  on  his  shadow  and  tell  us  how 
long  it  would  be  before  the  bell  would  ring  for  the 
call  to  dinner.  As  we  accepted  the  statement  with  all 
confidence,  we  were  anxious  to  be  able  to  tell  for  our- 
selves, and  it  was  not  uncommon  to  find  the  boys  in 
different  parts  of  the  field  pacing  on  their  shadows, 
but  the  result  was  not  generally  so  satisfactory.  At 
last  we  were  told  that  it  required  a  full  knowledge  of 
the  laws  of  latitude  and  longitude  to  be  able  to  tell 
the  hour  of  the  day,  and  from  this  time  all  our  errors 
in  calculation  were  charged  to  that  fact. 

The  kind  and  fatherly  care  of  Brother  James  was 
all  that  could  be  asked,  and  a  manifestation  of  his 
loving  spirit  continued  to  the  close  of  his  early  pil- 
2  17 


grimage.  I  had  learned  that  it  was  through  his  solici- 
tations that  I  was  received  into  the  Church  Family, 
and  this  step  he  never  regretted. 

In  October,  I  was  placed  under  the  charge  of  an- 
other young  man.  He  was  a  blacksmith,  and  only  19 
years  of  age.  .  There  was  nothing  disagreeable  in  the 
change  of  employment,  as  boys  are  always  interested 
in  having  something  new.  My  experience  before  the 
forge  may  have  been  the  best  thing,  and  certainly  has 
never  been  regretted.  The  few  lessons  that  I  learned 
during  this  time  have  been  of  considerable  value 
through  my  life. 

The  school  opened  the  first  of  December,  and  very 
fortunately  my  name  was  among  the  youth  that  were 
expected  to  attend.  I  appreciated  the  privilege,  as  it 
had  been  several  years  since  I  had  been  permitted  to 
enter  a  school  as  a  pupil,  and  I  intended  to  make  the 
time  profitable.  The  teacher  was  a  young  man  of  28. 
Some  thirty  boj'^s  attended  with  ages  ranging  from 
8  to  19  years.  This  pupil  of  19  was  a  large  but 
dull-brained  lad,  and  his  efforts  at  the  pupil's  desk 
were  not  very  promising.  It  was  the  custom  of  the 
day  for  all  in  the  school  to  form  one  class  for  spelling. 
Every  morning  we  were  arranged  according  to  our 
ages,  and  on  being  called  forward  with  disciplinary 
order  were  required  to  "toe  the  mark."  This  ar- 
rangement brought  the  eldest  and  tallest  at  the  head 

18 


and  the  little  fellow  of  8  years  at  the  extreme  lower 
end  of  the  class.  At  the  close  of  the  exercises  it  was 
not  uncommon  to  find  this  order  quite  reversed,  with 
the  tallest  and  eldest  at  the  foot  and  the  youngest  and 
shortest  at  the  head.  The  school  was  well  governed 
and  sustained  a  good  reputation. 

The  educational  term  was  just  12  weeks  for  the  boys 
in  winter,  and  the  same  for  the  girls  in  summer.  Six 
hours  each  day  and  five  days  counted  one  week.  ]\Iost 
of  the  boys  of  my  own  age  were  in  advance  of  me  in 
many  of  their  studies,  very  much  to  my  disappoint- 
ment. My  penmanship  was  not  good  and  my  first 
paper,  written  for  the  inspection  of  the  superintend- 
ing school  committee,  was  anything  but  nice.  I  had 
no  knowledge  of  English  grammar,  and  very  little  of 
geography.  In  arithmetic,  a  few  simple  rules  only 
could  be  recited. 

For  several  weeks  I  was  obliged  to  stand  in  the  rear 
of  those  who  were  much  younger,  and  the  position  was 
by  no  means  pleasant.  When  I  found  how  easily 
some  of  the  pupils  could  command  the  multiplication 
tables,  I  employed  every  spare  moment  to  commit 
them  to  memory,  till  they  became  as  familiar  as  my 
name.  In  reading  I  was  given  a  place  in  the  first 
class.  AVe  used  "Worcester's  Fourth  Book."  In  a 
recitation  for  spelling,  the  head  of  the  class  was  far 
from  the  place  v,-here  I  stood.    Indeed,  I  had  no  special 

19 


gift  for  spelling  or  for  the  proper  adjustment  of  silent 
letters.  Phonetic  spelling  might  have  met  my  case 
much  better;  but  as  that  had  not  been  introduced,  I 
must  come  under  the  system  arranged  by  Xoah  Web- 
ster. I  soon  found  that  it  was  only  by  close  applica- 
tion that  I  could  learn  to  spell  correctly. 

We  have  since  that  date  found  that  incorrect  spell- 
ing was  very  common  among  those  whose  penmanship 
was  excellent.  One  word  is  indelibly  impressed  upon 
my  memory  that  passed  several  of  the  pupils  without 
giving  the  teacher  satisfaction,  viz.,  "judicature."  As 
the  best  pupils  could  not  spell  the  word  correctlj',  I 
did  not  dare  to  make  the  trial. 

Recitations  in  geography  and  arithmetic  were  made 
from  memory,  although  slates  may  have  been  used 
sometimes,  as  the  class  stood  in  the  floor.  No  form  of 
blackboard  had  been  introduced  into  the  school-room 
up  to  this  date.  Reading  and  spelling  were  allowed 
to  pass  without  much  criticism.  An  exhibition  of  pen- 
manship was  made  by  attaching  a  few  lines  that  were 
written  at  the  commencement  of  the  term,  to  an  equal 
number  written  at  the  close  of  the  term.  This  was 
considered  sufficient  to  show  the  improvement  made 
by  the  pupils.  A  recitation  in  grammar  was  made  by 
analyzing  a  few  sentences  found  in  our  reading  books. 
Our  superintending  school  committee  this  year  were 
Rev.  "Wm.  Patrick,  A.  M.,  Joseph  Harper,  M.  D.,  and 

20 


Edward  Osgood.  They  were  all  friendly  to  the 
society  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  prosperity  of 
the  school.  At  the  close  of  the  session  the  superin- 
tending school  committee  complimented  the  teacher 
for  having  accomplished  so  much  during  the  term. 

Two  more  winters  passed  after  this  manner,  when 
the  school  came  under  the  charge  of  the  writer.  For 
one  season  the  certificate  was  made  out  in  the  name  of 
the  former  teacher,  but  at  the  close  of  the  term  of 
1842  it  passed  to  the  writer. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1839,  Brother  James  Johnson 
informed  me  that  as  I  was  not  strong  enough  to  work 
in  the  blacksmith  shop,  he  would  place  me  under  the 
care  of  Brother  Thomas  Hoit.  During  the  summer 
months  Brother  Thomas  worked  at  the  carding  mill, 
a  distance  of  one  mile  from  the  village.  The  remain- 
der of  the  year  he  was  a  universal  chore  man,  and 
enjoyed  the  euphonious  name  of  tinker.  He  had  the 
charge  of  the  stoves  and  stove-pipes,  also  the  making 
and  mending  of  tin-ware.  This  last  branch  afforded 
ready  employment  for  me  whenever  I  was  in  want  of 
a  job.  Thomas  also  took  charge  of  the  clocks  in  the 
family,  he  cut  and  headed  all  the  nails  that  were  used 
in  the  making  of  brooms.  When  winter  came,  he  kept 
me  busy  before  and  after  school  heading  broom  nails 
and  mending  tin-ware.  Brother  Thomas  was  very 
skillful  in  the  use  of  the  few  simple  tools  of  his  own 

21 


manufacture,  and  some  of  the  tin-ware  which  he  made 
in  1840  elicited  much  praise.  That  these  articles  were 
substantially  made  is  attested  by  the  finding  of  some 
of  them  in  use  as  late  as  1890. 

During  the  summer  it  occupied  about  three  months 
to  card  the  avooI  for  the  society.  It  was  the  custom 
to  have  everything  in  readiness  before  breakfast,  so 
that  upon  leaving  the  table  we  were  to  take  the  dinner 
which  had  been  put  up  for  us.  It  took  some  twenty 
minutes  to  walk  to  the  mill,  and  then  the  work  for  the 
day  began.  The  machinery  was  soon  in  motion  and 
till  noon  our  identity  was  lost  in  the  busy  hum  of  the 
wool-carding  machines.  At  the  hour  for  dinner 
Thomas  was  cook,  and  he  always  prepared  a  most 
palatable  meal.  Sometimes  we  had  company  to  dine 
with  us,  and  then  Thomas  would  have  a  little  extra 
care  for  the  honor  of  his  house.  If  some  of  the  Sisters 
chanced  to  be  present  they  kindly  took  charge  of  the 
table  and  excused  us  from  the  duty  of  washing  dishes 
and  of  returning  everything  to  its  proper  place. 

At  noon  we  had  a  half  hour  or  more  of  leisure,  for 
study  or  recreation.  At  1.15  p.  m.  the  machinery  was 
again  in  motion,  and  at  5.30  work  closed  for  the  day. 
In  this  way  the  season  passed  quite  pleasantly,  al- 
though there  were  times  when  of  choice  I  would  rather 
have  been  at  the  village. 

While  working  at  the  carding  mill,  a  slight  accident 
22 


brought  me  to  grief.  Thomas  had  sent  me  to  the 
woods,  a  few  rods  distant,  to  cut  some  firewood.  My 
skill  in  the  use  of  an  axe  was  by  no  means  remarkable, 
but,  armed  with  a  sharp  one,  I  left  the  mill  to  return 
in  a  short  time  rather  ingioriously.  The  blood  told 
the  story  before  I  had  time  to  explain.  The  careless 
handling  of  the  axe  had  left  a  gash  of  more  than  an 
inch  in  the  leg,  just  below  the  knee. 

Thomas  soon  took  in  the  situation,  and  was  equal  to 
the  emergency.  With  a  fine  needle  and  some  silk  he 
closed  the  wound  in  a  manner  that  would  have  been 
creditable  to  a  surgeon.  After  suffering  a  slight 
lameness  for  several  days,  I  was  again  on  duty,  and 
experienced  no  unpleasant  result.  The  defeat,  how- 
ever, was  to  my  disadvantage,  as  Thomas  never  com- 
plimented me  even  on  my  good  work  of  an  earlier  date, 
but  remarked,  "Boys  don't  know  how  to  use  an  axe." 

In  the  summer  of  1842  the  business  at  the  carding 
mill  was  left  in  my  charge,  and  I  trust  it  was  man- 
aged more  or  less  satisfactorily.  After  that  the  busi- 
ness went  into  the  hands  of  an  experienced  carder  at 
the  North  Family. 

After  the  work  had  closed  at  the  carding  mill, 
usually  about  the  first  of  September,  I  assisted  the 
Brethren  in  harvesting  and  then  attended  school  in 
the  winter.  A  copy  of  the  certificate  given  is  before 
me,  which  reads  as  follows: 

23 


To  All  Whom  It  jMay  Concern  :— 
This  certifies  that  we  have  this  day  made  due  in- 
quiries, and  are  of  the  opinion  that  Henry  C.  Blinn  is 
qualified  to  instruct  children  and  youth  in  all  the 
branches  of  science  required  by  the  laws  of  this  state. 

William  Patrick,  )  Supenntending 
Jos.  M.  Harper,      )    Committee. 

Canterbury,  N.  H.,  Feb.  27,  1843. 

For  eight  years,  during  the  three  winter  months,  I 
gave  my  Avhole  time  to  this  occupation.  From  thirty 
to  forty  pupils  were  in  attendance  and  general  satis- 
faction was  awarded  to  the  teacher  by  the  committee. 
Our  writing-books  were  home-made,  except  those  used 
by  three  or  four  of  the  oldest  pupils.  Economy'  in  the 
use  of  writing  paper  was  one  of  the  essential  lessons 
of  the  day.  Quill  pens  were  universally  used,  as  steel 
pens  had  not  been  introduced.  We  wrote  from  slips 
which  were  passed  to  the  pupils,  forenoon  and  after- 
noon. One  hour  at  a  time  was  allowed  for  the  writing 
exercise.  French's  system  of  penmanship  was  in  use 
and  created  a  commendable  rivalry  among  the  pupils. 
After  writing  on  every  line  of  the  page,  the  book  was 
turned  and  filled  directly  across  these  lines.  Then 
the  book  was  turned  and  twice  more  the  pupils  wrote 
diagonally,  that  no  space  might  be  wasted. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  years  a  more  liberal  iuterest 
24 


was  taken  in  the  education  of  the  youth  and  children, 
and  new  books  of  decided  interest  to  the  school  were 
introduced. 

Between  school  hours  the  boys  learned  to  braid  whip 
lashes.  A  wooden  frame,  some  five  feet  square,  was 
placed  in  the  center  of  the  room,  around  which  eight 
persons  might  stand  and  braid. 

In  1842,  Brother  Thomas  Hoit  and  all  under  the 
prescribed  age  were  deprived  of  foreign  tea  and  coffee, 
as  the  use  of  these  articles  had  been  discontinued  in 
the  family.  Home  productions  were  encouraged  and 
it  was  thought  that  tea  was  growing  on  our  own  hill- 
sides quite  as  good  as  that  which  was  brought  from 
China.  Among  the  many  varieties  that  were  gathered 
and  packed  away  for  use,  Thomas  preferred  the  leaves 
of  the  strawberry  plant,  and  this  was  his  opinion: 
"They  are  just  as  good  as  any  tea."  This  season  I 
was  engaged  for  hours  and  half  hours  in  gathering 
leaves  that  were  without  spot  or  blemish,  so  that 
Thomas  had  a  generous  supply  for  several  years.  He 
carefully  packed  the  leaves  away,  and  they  were  used 
by  himself  and  company  until  the  foreign  tea  was 
again  introduced. 

It  had  been  the  custom  since  the  organization  of  the 
society,  for  watchers  to  be  appointed  to  look  after  the 
property  when  the  family  had  retired  for  the  night. 
At  first  these  officers  were  on  duty  all  night.     The 

2.1 


time  -was  divicled  into  thirds  and  the  brethren  -were 
appointed  accordingly.  At  a  subsequent  date,  the 
vratch  closed  at  midnight,  and  only  two  persons  were 
appointed.  In  1842,  the  watch  consisted  of  only  one 
person,  and  his  turn  came  about  once  in  two  weeks. 
As  the  family  in  the  winter  season  retired  for  the 
night  at  nine  o'clock,  the  watch  began  at  that  hour 
and  continued  until  eleven.  Xo  watcher  was  allowed 
to  carry  a  lantern  or  to  have  any  light.  His  first  duty 
was  to  visit  all  the  rooms  in  the  brethren's  shops, 
then  go  to  the  blacksmith's  shop,  thence  through 
kitchen,  baker.y,  and  on  to  the  farmer's  shop  to  rest. 
At  10.30  he  went  the  rounds  as  at  first,  and  if  all  was 
safe  he  retired  for  the  night.  The  brethren  were  gen- 
erally appointed  to  this  duty  at  the  age  of  21  years, 
and  I  anticipated  that  length  of  time  before  I  should 
be  called  to  act  in  this  capacity.  When  the  good  Elder 
said  that  my  name  was  placed  on  the  list  of  watchers, 
I  tried  to  excuse  myself  by  saying  that  I  was  only  17 ; 
I  did  not  want  to  say  that  I  was  timid,  and  that  the 
darkness  of  the  night  gave  me  the  horrors;  he  heard 
me  very  kindly,  but  closed  by  saying,  "You  will  be 
informed  at  the  proper  time." 

My  first  experience  at  watching  for  two  hours  on  a 
dark,  stormy  night  was  highly  sensational.  I  went 
faithfully  according  to  my  directions,  but  I  constantly 
heard  footsteps  behind  me  as  I  walked  through  the 

26 


dark  passages,  and  saw  human  beings  rise  up  before 
me,  seemingly  as  real  as  life  itself.  I  lived  through  it, 
however,  and  for  10  years  acted  as  duty  called. 

The  manifestations  of  a  peculiar  spiritual  influence, 
which  made  its  appearance  in  the  family  in  1837,  was 
now  in  active  operation.  At  first  it  was  seemingly 
visions,  singing  new  hymns,  the  personating  of  those 
who  had  passed  into  the  spirit  land,  and  bowing  and 
bending  and  shaking  by  the  many  mediums.  These 
mediums  now  became  the  inspectors  of  almost  every- 
thing that  pertained  to  the  family,  and  were  largely 
the  general  advisers.  One  subject  that  proved  to  be 
of  deep  interest  to  the  writer  of  these  notes  was  the 
inspection  of  the  books  that  were  in  the  family.  As 
no  library  had  been  arranged  in  the  church,  all  the 
books  were  held  in  private  possession,  which  was  an 
encouragement  to  selfish  interests. 

The  Elders  now  requested  that  all  the  books  should 
be  brought  forward  for  inspection  and  for  the  forma- 
tion of  a  library.  This  touched  quite  keenly  my  love 
for  self,  and  my  little  stock  of  books,  brought  from 
the  city,  which  had  been  so  choice,  moved  very  slowly 
toward  the  place  of  deposit.  Some  of  them  were  sent 
to  the  office,  as  not  suitable  for  the  family.  They  were 
stories  about  the  Indians,  battles  on  sea  and  land,  or 
the  history  of  some  nation.  Such  books,  we  were  told, 
encouraged  a  warlike  disposition  in  the  reader.     Only 

27 


a  few  of  my  books  were  saved,  and  among  these  were 
copies  of  "The  Penny  Magazine."  These  books,  so 
full  of  illustrations  and  interesting  stories,  may  be 
found  in  a  good  state  of  preservation  in  the  library 
at  the  present  date,  1899.  This  was  to  be  my  first 
prominent  lesson  in  a  united  interest,  and  it  was,  no 
doubt,  a  very  useful  one.  A  small  Bible  was  soon 
after  presented  to  me  as  a  better  book  for  study,  and 
I  trust  I  made  good  use  of  the  exchange. 

At  first,  the  reading  of  the  Bible  was  a  mere  ques- 
tion of  obedience,  but  ultimately  it  became  a  real 
pleasure  and  profit.  All  the  other  members  of  the 
family  shared  in  this  personal  sacrifice,  and  many  a 
book,  no  doubt,  felt  the  twinge  of  self-love  as  it  passed 
from  the  hands  of  its  selfish  owner  into  the  treasury' 
to  be  used  for  the  good  of  the  whole.  Not  only  were 
the  books  brought  forward  for  inspection,  and  an  im- 
mediate decision  rendered  concerning  any  books, 
papers,  carpets,  rugs,  crockery,  any  article  of  wearing 
apparel,  and  even  the  playthings  that  belonged  to  the 
children.  If  these  were  deemed  suitable  for  the  home 
of  Believers,  they  were  retained  rnider  a  blessing;  but 
if  superfluous,  they  were  immediately  removed. 

In  the  spring  of  1843,  the  printing  of  the  "Sacred 
Roll"  was  commenced,  and  I  was  sent  to  the  printing 
office  to  learn  to  set  type  and  to  work  the  press. 

The  family  had  owned  a  large  Adam's  press  for  sev- 
28 


eral  years,  and  had  printed  some  hymns  and  several 
small  pamphlets;  but  had  only  small  fonts  of  type. 
The  acceptance  of  the  work  which  would  involve  a 
book  of  some  four  hundred  pages  was  a  heroic  venture 
on  the  part  of  the  family,  as  no  one  fully  understood 
the  business,  and  the  work  must  be  done  under  many 
disadvantages.  Four  persons  were  engaged  in  the 
business,  three  to  set  type  and  one  to  do  the  press- 
work.  These  four,  however,  had  many  other  duties 
to  perform  in  the  course  of  the  day,  apart  from  the 
work  at  the  printing  office.  As  this  book  was  written 
under  inspiration,  everything  connected  with  it 
seemed  to  follow  in  the  same  line. 

It  was  through  this  same  inspiration  that  several  of 
the  societies  selected  a  place  in  the  woods  or  fields  to 
be  used  for  divine  worship.  At  Canterbury,  the  place 
was  designated  "Pleasant  Grove,"  and  was  situated 
about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  northeast  of  the  Church 
Family.  All  who  were  able  to  assist  in  the  work  of 
clearing  the  land  and  preparing  the  place  for  religious 
gatherings,  were  expected  to  contribute  the  labor  of  a 
few  days.  The  printers,  after  obtaining  some  hoes 
and  shovels,  were  soon  found  among  the  zealous  labor- 
ers. A  building,  40  feet  long,  15  feet  wide  and  one 
story  high,  was  built  for  the  protection  of  the  people 
if  it  should  happen  to  rain  during  the  time  of  the 
meeting. 


In  1847,  a  marble  slab  was  purchased,  six  feet  long, 
three  feet  wide  and  three  inches  thick.  This  was  placed 
in  the  center  of  the  enclosure.  On  one  side  of  the 
marble  was  engraved  the  name  of  the  place  and  the 
date  of  erection,  while  on  the  other  was  an  extended 
message  or  spiritual  exhortation  to  those  who  visited 
the  sacred  place.  Elder  Joseph  Myrick,  of  Harvard, 
Mass.,  was  engaged  to  assist  in  preparing  the  marble, 
and  several  days  were  spent  in  polishing  it,  prepara- 
tory to  the  lettering.  After  imparting  several  lessons 
with  reference  to  the  use  of  the  tools  and  the  manner 
of  engraving,  he  left  the  work  in  charge  of  the  writer 
and  returned  to  Harvard.  The  stone  was  erected, 
beautiful  evergreens  were  planted  around  the  place, 
and  meetings  were  held  frequently  for  several  years. 
Subsequently,  these  meetings  were  discontinued  and 
the  house,  fence  and  marble  slab  were  removed  by  the 
writer. 

In  1844,  we  received  from  New  Lebanon,  N.  Y.,  the 
manuscript  of  the  ''Juvenile  Guide,  or  Manual  of 
Good  Planners. "  A  thousand  copies  were  printed, 
and  the  printing  and  binding  were  under  my  direc- 
tion. A  new  edition  of  this  book,  entitled  "Gentle 
Manners,  A  Guide  to  Good  Morals,"  was  published  at 
East  Canterbury,  N.  H.,  in  March,  1899,  by  the  wi-iter, 
who  is  interested  to  perpetuate  this  valuable  little  vol- 


80 


ume,  so  much  needed  as  the  instructor  of  children  and 
youth. 

We  also  printed,  in  1844,  a  small  book  entitled, 
"Millennial  Hymns."  It  was  a  work  of  some  four 
hundred  pages. 

In  the  spring  of  1849,  we  received  the  manuscript 
of  a  work  entitled,  "Holy  and  Divine  Wisdom."  It 
was  written  under  inspiration  at  Watervliet,  N.  Y. 
It  was  a  book  of  nearly  700  pages  and  an  edition  of 
2,500  copies.  The  publication  proved  a  great  under- 
taking, but  we  purchased  a  new  Tuft's  hand-press,  of 
excellent  pattern,  an  inking  machine,  then  made  an 
addition  to  our  stock  of  types.  The  management  of 
the  business  was  in  the  charge  of  the  writer  and  moved 
along  very  quietly,  while  a  good  union  was  manifested 
by  all  who  were  employed  in  the  shop. 

In  1849,  I  was  removed  from  the  charge  of  the  chil- 
dren and  of  the  school,  as  my  whole  attention  was  to 
be  given  to  printing. 

After  a  vacation  of  six  months,  I  again  accepted  the 
care  of  the  children,  and  remained  \^'ith  them  until 
March,  1852,  at  which  time  I  was  appointed  to  the 
order  of  Elders  as  an  associate  with  Elder  Robert 
Fowle.  The  Sisters  in  the  order  at  that  time  were 
Eldress  Marcia  E.  Hastings  and  Sister  Philinda 
]\Iinor.  It  was  a  great  cross  to  leave  the  children  and 
enter  into  this  new  order  of  life.     It  gave  me,  how- 

31 


ever,  the  society  of  maturer  minds,  which  was  a  de- 
cided advantage,  and  afforded  much  needed  experi- 
ence with  the  family,  which  it  was  impossible  to  ob- 
tain while  encumbered  with  the  care  of  children.  My 
privilege  in  the  Eldership  was  rather  limited  at  that 
time,  however,  as  on  the  fifth  of  June,  1852,  I  was 
placed  in  the  Ministry  as  companion  with  Elder  xVbra- 
ham  Perkins.  The  Sisters  of  the  order  were  Eldress 
Harriet  Hastings  and  Sister  Hester  Ann  Adams. 

All  my  former  crosses  now  faded  away.  My  privi- 
lege, as  I  was  informed,  had  become  greater;  yet  it 
could  have  few  attractions  for  one  who  enjoyed  a 
home  in  the  midst  of  a  large  and  busy  family.  My 
interest  had  been,  till  within  a  few  months,  with  some 
twenty-four  boys,  ranging  in  age  from  six  to  sixteen 
years.  Their  meetings  and  other  duties,  both  temporal 
and  spiritual,  had  occupied  my  whole  time.  Their 
daily  employment,  with  the  thousand  and  one  little 
wants  to  be  met  and  their  general  term  for  education, 
made  a  busy  time  for  the  caretaker.  A  remove  from 
all  this  activity  to  a  home  more  remote  from  the  heart 
of  the  family,  where  for  some  time  I  was  engaged  in 
tailoring,  was  not  at  first  desirable ;  but  eventually  the 
responsibilities  into  which  I  grew  became  of  primary 
importance,  and  I  formed  many  lasting  friendships 
in  both  the  societies  of  Enfield  and  Canterbury,  X,  11.^ 
where  I  was  called  to  serve. 

32 


As  the  demand  for  artificial  teeth  was  on  the  in- 
crease, and  as  I  had  at  an  earlier  date  met  with  good 
success  in  my  attempts  at  dentistry,  I  began  to  do  less 
and  less  work  with  the  needle  and  returned  to  a  form 
of  work  that  was  far  more  congenial,  which  gave  me 
sufficient  employment. 

In  my  position  as  an  associate  member  of  the  Minis- 
terial order,  I  shared  a  great  many  privileges  without 
having  the  many  responsibilities  that  must  devolve 
upon  my  superiors.  These  have  all  been  appreciated 
from  the  first,  and  for  these  a  corresponding  equiva- 
lent must  be  rendered. 

In  1852,  I  printed  a  book  entitled,  "A  Repository 
of  Hymns  and  Anthems. ' '  This  was  the  first  attempt 
at  publishing  a  work  having  the  hymns  set  to  music. 
As  the  Believers  at  this  time  had  no  music  type,  and 
as  their  system  was  quite  unlike  that  of  the  world  at 
large,  we  were  obliged  to  have  a  font  cast  for  our 
especial  use.  This  involved  considerable  expense ;  but 
after  exercising  extreme  patience,  I  brought  out  a 
book  of  220  pages. 

Upon  the  introduction  of  the  periodical  entitled, 
The  Shaker,  which  was  published  at  Albany,  N.  Y., 
in  1871,  it  was  suggested  that  some  of  our  hymns  be 
printed  and  set  to  music.  As  the  Shaker  system  of 
writing  music  could  not  be  used,  the  Believers  were 
forced  to  use  the  round  notes.  A  new  system  of  writ- 
'  33 


ing  music  was  at  once  adopted,  and  the  book  of  "An- 
thems and  Hymns"  was  at  the  same,  time  carefully- 
laid  aside,  to  give  place  to  the  advanced  step  of  the 
community. 

In  November,  1859,  I  removed  from  the  order  of 
Ministry,  and  was  appointed  Senior  Elder  in  the 
Church  of  Canterbury.  As  the  cross  is  always  quite 
near  to  the  Christian,  I  found  it  at  this  time  directly 
in  front.  The  spirit  of  my  ministerial  cares  had  taken 
deep  root  in  my  heart,  and  I  sorrowed  at  parting  with 
many  dear  friends  at  Enfield.  The  family  at  this 
time  numbered  some  fifty-five  Brethren  and  seventy- 
three  Sisters.  Several  trades  were  in  flourishing  con- 
dition. The  Second  and  North  Families  were  also 
well  organized  and  prosperous.  As  the  new  duties 
began  to  increase,  I  soon  found  my  mind  absorbed  in 
the  interests  that  were  springing  up  around  me. 

As  Tlie  Shaker  had,  during  the  few  years  of  its  ex- 
istence, passed  under  the  management  of  several  per- 
sons, it  was  now  proposed  to  appoint  a  publisher  at 
Canterbury,  while  the  editor  lived  at  Watervliet,  N. 
Y.  As  I  had  been  engaged  in  the  printing  business 
more  or  less  since  1843,  it  was  proposed  for  Canter- 
bury to  set  the  types,  put  the  work  into  pages,  proof- 
read the  same,  and  then  send  the  type  to  Concord  to 
be  printed.  This  programme  was  carried  out  in  1877, 
while  the    paper    was  in  quarto  size.     In  1S7S,  the 

34 


paper  was  changed  to  pamphlet  form,  under  the  title, 
The  Shaker  Manifesto.  The  paper  returned  to  Al- 
bany in  1879,  and  the  work  of  the  type-setting  and 
printing  was  done  by  Weed  &  Parsons.  In  1882,  the 
whole  management  of  The  Manifesto  was  placed  under 
the  charge  of  Canterbury  and  was  edited  and  pub- 
lished in  this  place  until  December,  1899,  when  its 
existence  closed. 

On  the  twenty-third  of  August,  1863,  at  the  time  of 
the  Civil  War,  I  was  notified  that  I  had  been  drafted 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  received  this 
notice  from  the  provost-marshal : 

To  Henry  C.  Blinn, 
Canterbury,  N.  H. 

Sir:  You  are  hereby  notified  that  you  were  on  the 
19th  day  of  August,  1863,  legally  drafted  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States  for  the  period  of  three 
years,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  act  of 
Congress  "for  enrolling  and  calling  out  the  national 
forces,  and  for  other  purposes,"  approved  March  3, 
1863. 

You  will  accordingly  report,  on  the  16th  of  Septem- 
ber, at  the  place  of  rendezvous  in  Concord,  N.  H.,  or 
be  deemed  a  deserter,  and  be  subjected  to  the  penalty 
prescribed  therefor  by  the  rules  of  war. 

Transportation  will  be  furnished  you  in  presenting 

35 


this  notification  at  Canterbury  Depot,  on  the  Boston, 
Concord  &  Montreal  Railroad,  or  at  the  station  near- 
est your  place  of  residence. 

Anthony  Colby, 
Provost-Marshal. 
2d  Dist.  of  New  Hampshire. 

Through  the  solicitations  to  the  government  of 
Brothers  Ezra  Leggett,  of  Ohio,  and  Benjamin  Gates, 
of  Mount  Lebanon,  N.  Y.,  the  above  order  was  counter- 
manded, much  to  the  relief  of  myself  and  my  anxious 
friends. 

On  the  16th  of  September  I  was  at  the  war  office  in 
Concord  and  after  a  few  kind  remarks  from  the  mar- 
shal, he  permitted  me  a  furlough  for  several  weeks. 
On  the  7th  of  November  I  received  from  him  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Henry  C.  Blinn, 

Furlough  until  called  for, 

Anthony  Colby, 
Provost-Marshal, 

2d  N.  II.  District. 
Nov.  7,  1863. 

I  returned  to  the  village  and  was  never  called  upon 
again. 
In  1865,  the  direction  of  the  public  Sunday  service 
36 


was  accepted  by  the  Church  Family,  under  the  imme- 
diate guidance  of  the  writer.  The  house,  built  in  1792, 
was  opened  on  the  first  of  May  and  closed  on  the  first 
of  October,  each  year.  These  services  were  continued 
quite  regularly  every  summer  until  1889,  when  they 
were  discontinued,  and  all  the  meetings  of  the  Church 
Family  were  held  in  the  chapel,  which  is  a  part  of  the 
family  dwelling.  In  the  spring  of  1873,  it  was  my 
privilege  to  make  a  visit  to  the  several  societies  of  Be- 
lievers, South  and  "West.  I  spent  three  days  at  Mount 
Lebanon,  and  then  passed  on  to  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, making  a  call  at  the  home  of  the  colored  Sisters. 
From  this  place  I  ^vent  directly  to  Pleasant  Hill,  Ky., 
passing  through  the  cities  of  Baltimore,  Cincinnati 
and  Lexington.  After  a  "visit  of  two  weeks  with  the 
Believers  at  this  place,  I  passed  on  to  South  Union, 
Ky.,  thence  to  Union  Village,  Whitewater,  Watervliet 
and  North  Union,  Ohio,  Grovelaud  and  Mount  Leba- 
non, N.  Y.,  and  Hancock,  Mass.,  again  reaching  home 
after  being  absent  two  months.  In  a  diary  written  at 
that  time  may  be  found  a  full  account  of  every  place 
visited,  with  many  notes  of  interest  that  came  under 
my  observation. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1880,  I  was  released  from 
the  Order  of  Elders,  and  was  again  appointed  to  the 
IMinistry,  in  place  of  Elder  Abraham  Perkins,  who 
had  returned  to  Enfield.     The  Sisters  in  the  JMinistry 

37 


at  that  time  were  Eldresses  Joanna  J.  Kaime  and 
Hannah  P.  Shepard. 

April  7,  1890,  I  returned  to  the  Eldership  in  Can- 
terbury, and  found  little  cross  in  the  change.  The 
force  and  burden  of  such  changes  become  less  and  less 
severe,  as  we  advance  in  years  and  grow  in  knowledge 
of  our  duty  toward  society. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  1891,  I  was  appointed  to 
the  Trusteeship,  in  company  with  Elder  J.  S.  Kaime. 
Upon  the  death  of  the  latter,  I  was  again  appointed 
to  the  Ministry,  July  8,  1893. 


Elder  Henry  lets  fall  the  thread  of  history  at  this 
point.  His  amanuensis  lifts  it  to  connect  the  golden 
cord,  which  runs  through  the  remaining  six  years  of 
his  stay  with  us. 

Gradually,  gracefully,  he  seemed  to  outgrow  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  earth.  While  to  the  last  maintaining 
nominally  the  office  of  Minister  and  Trustee,  he  will- 
ingly resigned  active  duties  to  younger  companions 
in  both  orders,  depending  upon  them  more  and  more. 

That  he  might  have  all  the  care  needful  in  his  de- 
cline, apartments  at  the  InlSrmary  were  kept  at  his 
disposal;  though  he  was  never  better  pleased  than 
when  able  to  spend  the  day  at  his  carpenter's  bench, 
engaged  in  light  cabinet  work,  a  favorite  occupation. 

38 


Elder  Henry  was  never  idle.  ''Gentle  Manners"  and 
"Spiritualism  Among  the  Shakers,"  books  printed  at 
East  Canterbury  in  1899,  also  "The  Life  and  Gospel 
Experience  of  Mother  Ann  Lee,"  published  in  1901, 
speak  for  themselves  of  his  industry  and  alertness  of 
mind. 

Elder  Henry  had  always  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer 
and  a  wide  correspondence.  Until  about  a  year  ago, 
he  personally  answered  all  letters  received,  only  occa- 
sionally employing  a  penman.  After  the  two  slight 
shocks,  which  foreshadowed  the  end,  he  seemed  to  lose 
control  of  the  right  hand;  and  quietly  passed  the 
choice  pens,  which  he  had  used  for  so  many  years,  to 
his  younger  friends  as  gifts,  saying,  "I  cannot  use 
them  now." 

He  continued  to  dictate  letters  in  reply  to  those  re- 
ceived, and  followed  the  rounds  of  the  day,  blessing 
and  being  blessed,  until  the  week  preceding  his  de- 
mise. The  last  Wednesday  of  his  life,  in  answer  to 
the  query,  "Are  you  tired,  Elder  Henry?"  he  gently 
answered,  "0,  well,  there  is  rest  for  the  weary." 
These  were  the  last  words  he  was  heard  to  speak. 

He  had  a  premonition,  we  think,  of  the  death  of 
Elder  Ira  R.  Lawson,  who  departed  this  life  at  West 
Pittsfield,  Mass.,  April  5.  He  was  lying  quietly  when 
the  nurse  entered  the  room.  As  she  neared  him, 
he  inquired,  "Plave  they  returned  from  the  fimeral?" 

39 


"What  funeral?"  was  asked.  "They  wdll  soon  be  at 
home,"  he  went  on,  as  if  not  hearing  the  speaker, 
"there  was  a  large  congregation,  and  our  people  went 
in  two  separate  companies,  but  they  will  all  be  at  home 
soon.  /  attended,  too,''  he  added,  emphatically,  "hut 
they  did  not  see  me. ' ' 

Representatives  from  our  society  attended  the 
funeral  service  above  referred  to,  April  8,  in  two 
companies,  returning  at  different  times.  This  oc- 
curred seven  days  after  the  death  of  Elder  Henrj-,  but 
as  the  gate  was  ajar,  he  seemed  to  live  in  both  worlds 
at  the  same  time. 


40 


THE  TREE   GOD  PLANTS. 

The  wind  that  blows  can  nevei'  kill 
The  tree  God  plants; 
It  bloweth  east,  it  bloweth  west, 
The  tender  leaves  have  little  rest, 
But  any  wind  that  blows  is  best. 
The  tree  God  plants 
Strikes  deeper  root,  grows  higher  still. 
Spreads  wider  boughs,  for  God's  good  will 
INIeets  all  its  wants. 

There  is  no  frost  hath  power  to  blight 
The  tree  God  shields ; 
The  roots  are  warm  beneath  soft  snows, 
And  when  spring  comes  it  surely  knows, 
And  every  bud  to  blossom  grows. 
The  tree  God  shields 
Grows  on  apace  by  day  and  night. 
Till,  sweet  to  taste  and  fair  to  sight, 
Its  fruit  it  yields. 

There  is  no  storm  hath  power  to  blast 
The  tree  God  knows; 
No  thunderbolt,  nor  beating  rain. 
Nor  lightning  flash,  nor  hurricane; 
When  these  are  spent  it  doth  remain. 
The  tree  God  Imows 
Through  every  tempest  standeth  fast, 
And,  from  its  first  day  to  its  last, 
Still  fairer  grows. 

41 


If  in  the  soul's  still  garden  place 
A  seed  God  sows — 
A  little  seed — ^it  soon  will  grow, 
And  far  and  near  all  men  will  know 
For  heavenly  land  he  bids  it  blow. 
A  seed  God  sows, 
And  np  it  springs  by  day  and  night; 
Through  life,  through  death,  it  groweth  right. 
Forever  grows. 

(Selected.) 


42 


MEMORIAL  SERVICE. 

The  service  in  memory  of  our  beloved  Elder  Henry- 
was  held  in  the  Chapel  at  East  Canterbury,  N.  H.,  at 
2  p.  m.,  April  4,  1905.  The  society  of  Enfield,  N.  H., 
was  represented  by  Elder  Wm.  Wilson,  Sisters  Ann 
Cummings  and  Mary  Basford,  and  several  friends 
from  adjoining  towns  were  present. 

A  selection  was  read  from  Psalms  xxiii  by  Elder 
Arthur  Bruce,  who,  in  closing,  said: 

"The  Scripture  read  is  appropriate  to  the  occasion 
which  calls  us  together  at  this  time.  In  losing  Elder 
Henry  from  our  midst,  we  may  find  much  that  con- 
soles in  the  thought  that  he  has  but  passed  into  a 
larger  sphere  of  activity. 

"We  cannot  mourn  as  those  without  hope.  In  the 
great  Beyond  he  will  stiU  pursue  the  mission  of  doing 
good.  For  a  few  years  past  he  has  been  unable  to 
assume  any  direct  burden,  but  his  presence  in  the  fam- 
ily has  been  a  constant  benediction.  He  sought 
always  to  encourage  well-doing  in  every  age  and  class. 

' '  While  unable  to  participate  actively  in  the  various 
concerns  of  our  home,  he  always  manifested  the  keen- 
est interest  in  its  success,  and  spoke  often  in  apprecia- 

43 


tion  of  those  who  constitute  the  burden-bearers  of 
today. 

"Words  may  be  multiplied  in  his  praise,  but  what 
greater  encomium  can  be  pronounced  upon  his  life 
than  to  say  that  he  has  gone  to  a  'righteous  man's 
reward!'  " 


The  following  anthein  was  then  sung  by  the  con- 
gregation : 

Fear  Not. 

"Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  with  thee;  I  have  called 
thee  by  my  name.  When  thou  passest  through  the 
waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  and  guide  thee  safely 
through.  Fear  thou  not,  for  I  will  uphold  thee  ^^•ith 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness.  For  I  am  the 
Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  thy  Saviour. ' ' 


TRIBUTE  BY  ELDER  ABRAHAM  PERKINS. 
(Aged  92  years.) 

(The  following  beautiful  tribute  was  found  among 
the  writings  left  by  our  aged  Brother,  who  passed 
away  August  12,  1900;  and  proved  a  welcome  addi- 
tion to  the  service.  It  was,  no  doubt,  composed  by 
the  author  during  a  severe  illness  of  Elder  Henry, 
from  which  he  was  not  expected  to  recover.) 

By  the  demise  of  Elder  Henry  C.  Blinn  we  are  this 

44 


day  bereaved.  It  has  pleased  the  Dispenser  of  life 
and  death  to  remove  from  our  midst  him  who  has  been 
to  us  a  light,  whereby  we  have  found  it  safe  to  be 
guided. 

That  he  should  be  relieved  of  his  sufferings  is  a  con- 
solation, and  that  he  should  rest  from  his  many  bur- 
dens we  can  but  feel  is  just,  yet  we  who  have  been 
blest  to  share  his  interest  and  parental  care  can  but 
realize  that  a  pillar  of  strength  is  withdrawn  from 
our  Church. 

Beloved  Elder  Henry,  thou  hast  been  to  us  a  tower 
of  strength  and  a  wall  of  protection,  sadly  to  be 
missed,  but  we  trust  this  dispensation  will  prompt 
your  successors  to  greater  fidelity  to  divine  will  and 
right  living. 

Those  who  have  best  understood  the  life  and  char- 
acter of  our  departed  Brother,  know  that  he  was  ever 
able  for  self-government,  the  greatest  honor  that  could 
be  gained,  for  ' '  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  is  better  than 
he  that  taketh  a  city. ' ' 

Thus,  by  his  exemplary  life,  he  inspired  confidence 
and  worked  for  the  protection  of  souls.  Now  that  we 
are  deprived  of  his  aid  and  strength,  we  shall  prove 
our  integrity,  the  character  of  our  foundation  will  be 
more  fully  tested,  as  also  the  degree  of  love  we  have 
for  purity,  truth,  the  order  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and 
all  that  is  godly  and  most  noble. 

45 


Eternal  life  is  at  our  command.  The  choice  and 
character  of  our  walk  in  life  are  wholly  personal. 
Shall  we  choose  the  broad  way  that  leads  to  ruin,  or 
wisely  walk  the  narrow  way  that  leads  to  everlasting 
life? 

The  life  of  beloved  Elder  Henry  is  before  us  as  a 
monument  of  Christianity,  a  model  of  righteousness, 
whose  baptism  of  the  "Christ  spirit"  we  may  well 
covet,  and  in  whose  well  earned  "eternal  weight  of 
glory"  we  would  rightfully  share. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


TEXTS  SPOKEN  BY  THE  BOYS. 

F.  W. — "Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the  up- 
right, for  the  eild  of  that  man  is  peace. ' '  Ps.  xssvii, 
37. 

R.  "W. — "He  that  overcometh  shall  inherit  all 
things  and  I  will  be  his  God  and  he  shall  be  my  son. ' ' 
Rev.  xxi,  9. 

G.  E. — "Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow 
me  all  the  days  of  my  life,  and  I  will  dwell  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  forever."     Ps.  xxiii,  6. 

B.  W. — "I  will  make  thy  name  to  be  remembered 
in  all  generations."    Ps.  xlv,  17. 

46 


p.  W. — ' '  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me  and 
forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven."     Luke  xviii,  18. 


Eldress  Dorothea  T.  Cochran  followed  with  appro- 
priate remarks,  the  substance  of  which  was:  "It  is 
with  a  peculiar  solemnity  that  we  meet  today,  for 
duty  calls  us  to  pay  our  last  tribute  on  this  side  to 
a  beloved  friend.  Elder  Henry  was  the  last  of  our 
former  Ministry,  who  resided  in  the  family  when  I 
entered  it  50  years  ago.  He  was  a  man  of  honor  by 
nature,  chastened  and  refined  by  personal  Christian 
discipline.  "We  are  quite  sure  that  those  who  were  his 
companions  in  burden  for  so  many  years  will  accord 
him  a  royal  welcome  to  the  beautiful  City  beyond. 

"Nothing  that  we  may  say  can  adequately  praise 
the  virtues  gained  by  the  cross  of  Christ.  "We  have 
seen  characters  wrought  in  adamant  under  the  chisel- 
ing of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"Elder  Henry's  life  has  been  an  example  of  godli- 
ness, safe  for  us  all  to  follow.  Through  years  of  de- 
votion to  the  cause  which  is  very  dear  to  us  all,  his 
interest  was  so  interwoven  with  ours  that  I  am  sure 
he  will  never  leave  us.  He  has  earned  his  passport  to 
the  higher  life.  "We  have  the  same  privilege;  let  us 
go  and  '  do  likewise. '  ' ' 

47 


HEAVEN. 
Sung  by  the  Chorus. 

"I  shall  know  my  own  in  Heaven, 

God's  pure  children  of  the  light; 
All  their  sins  have  been  forgiven 

And  their  robes  are  pearly  white. 
I  shall  know  them  in  their  whiteness,— 

All  of  self  is  washed  away, — 
I  shall  know  them  in  their  brightness, 

Angels  of  eternal  day. 

"I  shall  know  my  own  in  Heaven 

By  a  new  and  hallowed  name, 
Angel  ministry  their  glory, 

Winning  souls  with  Christ  to  reign. 
I  shall  hear  their  holy  voices, 

I  shall  see  their  work  divine; 
Rising  unto  heights  eternal, 

I  shall  know  them — they  are  mine!" 


The  following  letter  was  then  read: 

Lebanon,  Ohio. 
Our  Beloved  Friends: 

"Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth."  Truly 
the  household  of  faith  are  experiencing  the  truth  of 
this  saying.  We  also  loved  Elder  Henry.  While  our 
acquaintance  with  him,  compared  with  that  of  others, 

48 


was  limited,  we  have  known  him  but  to  love  him  as  a 
father  and  a  supporter  to  the  cause  of  truth. 

When  my  home  was  among  the  cedars  instead  of  the 
maples,  I  always  looked  forward  with  much  pleasure 
to  a  visit  from  the  Eastern  Ministry,  of  whom  Elder 
Henry  was  one. 

He  has  won  for  himself  a  eulogy  of  honor  and  the 
joyful  welcome,  "Well  done."  What  he  has  long- 
seen  in  vision,  he  now  realizes  in  the  Holy  City,  to 
which  we  are  all  journeying. 

We  are  with  you,  dear  friends,  in  your  great  be- 
reavement, and  our  hearts  beat  in  sympathy  as  we 
speak  the  parting  words  to  one  we  have  loved  so  long. 
And  yet  why  need  we  say  farewell?  Our  Brother  is 
still  with  us.  His  whole  soul  and  interest  were  de- 
voted to  the  upbuilding  of  Zion,  and  death  can  never 
sever  such  tender  ties.  His  greatest  monument  of 
praise  is  in  the  hearts  of  his  spiritual  posterity. 

In  closing,  I  would  say  let  us  break  the  alabaster 
boxes  over  our  friends  today,  while  they  are  with  us 
to  inhale  the  fragrance  of  the  precious  ointment. 

The  Brethren  and  Sisters  here  in  the  West  all  join 
in  kind  love  to  all. 

Your  gospel  Brother, 

Andrew  B^vrrett. 


49 


TRIBUTE. 
By  Sister  A.  C.  Stickney. 

Every  evening  during  the  mouth  of  ]March  was  seen 
the  beautiful  evening  star,  Venus.  We  admired  its 
brightness  and  its  promptness  as  we  looked  up  to  its 
shining  face  at  every  day's  decline.  It  seemed  to  say 
to  the  observer,  "Here  I  am  again  at  my  post  of  honor. 
Nations  have  passed  away  in  the  thousands  of  years 
that  have  rolled  by  since  I  first  learned  my  place  in 
the  starry  vault;  but  as  I  am  a  part  of  God's  great 
plan,  I  can  never  fail  my  duty  as  a  star. ' ' 

As  we  turned  aside  we  thought.  Are  there  not  other 
luminaries  that  seem  to  us  a  part  of  Deific  Power  ? 

I  am  thinking  of  our  worthy  Elder  Henry,  who  has 
just  passed  to  the  "Better  Land."  Has  he  not,  since 
his  day's  decline,  been  steadfast,  like  the  evening  star, 
at  his  post  of  honor?  We  think  so.  Like  a  star  of 
progress,  uprightness,  integrity  and  self-discipline,  he 
has  shone  through  the  evening  of  his  days,  and  will  he 
not  soon  become  a  morning  star  in  the  spheres  beyond  ? 

In  his  character  is  emphasized  the  Scriptural  pass- 
age: "He  that  ruleth  his  spirit  is  greater  than  he  that 
taketh  a  city." 

Elder  Henry,  as  a  man,  was  cosmopolitan  in  his 
ideas.  He  maintained  that  the  world  was  gradually 
growing  better.     He  taught  his  people  to  love  and 

50 


honor  all  Christian  societies  in  the  land,  to  sympa- 
thize with  their  trials,  to  rejoice  at  their  prosperity. 

He  had  a  great  interest  in  youth  and  children,  as 
we  all  know,  and  many  a  wayward  boy  was  won  by 
his  advice  to  live  better,  carrying  away  from  a  per- 
sonal interview  with  him  a  memory  gem  as  a  sweet 
memento  of  real  friendship  to  cherish. 

His  late  work,  "Gentle  Manners,"  a  veritable  key 
to  practical  life,  proved  him  a  true  gentleman,  a 
scholar,  and  a  humane  friend  to  the  inexperienced. 
May  our  little  friends  who  have  learned  to  love  the 
departed,  read  often  the  wholesome  counsels  contained 
in  the  work  mentioned,  and  feel  that  they  are  improv- 
ing themselves  and  honoring  its  author. 

Beloved  Elder  Henry,  we  are  able  to  say  much  more 
in  your  praise,  were  it  necessary,  but  you  never  ex- 
alted yourself  nor  boasted  of  your  attainments.  We 
can  only  say,  ' '  A  man  of  sterling  uprightness  is  above 
our  praise,"  but  we  add,  "Farewell,  dear  Elder, 
teacher  and  Brother.  May  you  rejoice  in  your  happy 
translation  to  the  life  beyond!" 


61 


HYIklN. 

Sung  by  the  Youth. 

There  are  treasures  bright,  immortal, 
Which  thy  soul  doth  ever  share ; 
For  through  life  ye  kept  the  gospel, 
'Twas  thy  interest  and  care. 
In  the  promise  of  youth's  morning 
"Was  thy  consecration  given, 
And  thy  soul  through  every  burden 
Sought  the  better  joys  of  Heaven. 

Ended  here  thy  earthly  mission. 
Filled  with  peace  and  purest  love. 
Now  to  be  renewed  in  Heaven, 
'Mid  the  angel  throng  above; 
For  the  flood  of  Heaven 's  glory 
Now  hath  burst  upon  thy  sight. 
And  the  friends  ye  knew  in  earth-life 
Welcome  thee  to  realms  of  light. 


Elder  Freeman  B.  White  offered  remarks,  eulogiz- 
ing his  Christian  friendship  with  the  deceased,  cover- 
ing a  series  of  years. 


53 


U.  G. 


A.  F. 


F.  W. 


L.  F. 


THE    CHILDREN'S   FRIEND. 

Spoken  by  the  Little  Girls. 

Hushed  are  our  childish  voices, 
Our  grief  with  yours  to  bleud, 

For  our  good  Elder  Henry 
Is  e'en  the  children's  friend. 


R.  H. 


Ne'er  in  too  great  a  hurry, 
No  business  could  defeat 

Your  plans  to  please  the  children, 
Our  simple  wants  to  meet. 


We  loved  your  kind  "Good  morning." 
Your  pleasant  voice  at  noon ; 

And  oft  the  friendly  visits 
Were  ended  all  too  soon. 


We  hold  in  earthly  keeping 
Choice  tokens  of  your  love. 

And  in  our  thought,  bright  memories 
Of  the  good  life  called  above. 


Our  last,  the  gift  of  parting, 
Bestowed  on  Christmas  Day, 

Was  given  for  all  the  children 
In  remembrance  of  you  alway, 
53 


E.  W. 


E.  F. 


E.  P. 


All. 


You  crossed  the  icy  pathway, 

Expressing  the  wish  to  see 
If  your  gift  had  pleased  the  children, 

Ajrain  it  might  never  be. 


You  made  us  think  of  Jesus, 
Who  called  the  children  near, 

And  in  your  loving  kindness 
We  knew  we'd  naught  to  fear. 


Our  hearts  are  sad  to  lose  you, 
And  yet  we  feel  quite  sure 

That  the  children's  friend  in  Heaven 
Will  welcome  the  good  and  pure. 


Good-bye,  good  Elder  Henry, 

We  love  you  just  the  same, 
And  please,  when  you  look  from  Heaven, 

Remember  each  little  name. 
And  bless  and  keep  us  near  you ; 

Our  childish  prayers  ascend 
For  one  little  place,  e'en  humble, 

In  the  home  of  the  children's  friend. 


54 


This  was  followed  by  the  singing  of  the  hymn, 

The  Landing. 

' '  I  shall  meet  the  brave  souls  at  the  '  Landing, ' 
"When  shore  unto  shore  shall  respond ; 
Where  kindred  and  guardians  are  joyful 
To  widen  the  spiritual  bond. 

"I  shall  meet  them  as  friends  of  the  Saviour, 

Who  victory  in  earth-life  have  found; 
Where  he  triumphed,  they  also  had  conquest, — 
Together  they  reign  and  are  crowned. ' ' 


WORDS  OF  COUNSEL  BY  ELDER  HENRY. 

Spoken  by  the  Youth. 

G.  S. — I  never  knew  a  person  to  make  a  good  reso- 
lution but  what  it  proved  a  blessing  to  him ;  but  there 
is  a  germ  I  would  start  in  the  heart  of  every  young 
person,  and  that  is,  faith  and  trust  in  prayer.  I  have 
proved  this  gift  to  be  a  power  to  bless  us  individually 
and  to  hold  us  as  a  people. 

Turn  3'our  attention  more  to  prayer.  When  under 
temptation,  pray.  "When  under  affliction,  pray;  and 
even  in  the  enjoyment  of  prosperity,  let  us  pray. 

H.  C. — It  has  sometimes  been  said  that  the  work  of 
God  in  our  Church  would  come  to  naught.  I  have  no 
sympathy  with  such  a  sentiment.     I  would  as  soon 


declare  myself  to  be  an  atheist  as  to  believe  the  work 
of  God  would  be  a  failure.  I  would  as  soon  believe 
that  God  himself  would  fail.  God  is  "the  same  yes- 
terday, today  and  forever."  Those  who  live  up- 
rightly from  the  rising  to  the  setting  of  the  sun  will 
be  saved ;  those  who  do  not,  will  know  failure. 

L.  H. — When  taking  supper  to  Elder  Henry  a  few 
days  before  his  decease,  the  messenger  expressed  the 
hope  that  he  would  find  all  that  he  desired,  to  which 
Elder  Henry  beautifullj^  replied : 

"I  need  but  little  here  below, 
Have  little  time  to  learn, 
Then,  0  that  world  to  which  I  go, 
Shall  be  my  rich  concern." 

C.  W.— On  May  22,  1904,  Elder  Henry  remarked: 
**I  feel  to  say  with  the  Psalmist  of  old,  'Surely  good- 
ness and  mercy  hath  followed  me  all  the  days  of  my 
life,'  but  he  added  something  grander  and  richer. 
He  goes  on  to  say,  'I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  forever.'  That  is  what  I  say, — I  will  dwell  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord  forever." 

I.  C. — Love  is  the  foundation  of  all  that  is  God's, 
it  endureth,  trieth  and  proveth  all  things.  Those  who 
accept  the  gospel  of  Christ  become  one  with  Him,  as 
they  imbibe  this  love  which  endureth  and  is  as  strong 
for  their  neighbor  as  themselves. 

56 


L_  Y.  w.— I  often  feel  to  say  to  the  Brethren  and 
Sisters  as  Saint  Paul  said,  ' '  Grow  not  weary  in  well- 
doing." If  you  grow  not  weary,  you  will  be  success- 
ful in  the  Christian  work. 

H.  D. — We  preach  the  gospel  by  our  lives,  silently 
but  effectually.  "The  gospel  is  a  simple  little  lesson 
to  learn,"  as  our  older  Brethren  and  Sisters  used  to 
tell  us.     Let  us  learn  it  well. 

L.  C. — Evil-speaking  is  ruinous.  It  scatters  and 
weakens  all  order  and  peace  and  is  destructive  to  the 
virtue  and  character  of  all  who  indulge  in  it.  "We 
may  see  a  fault  in  a  brother  or  sister  and  take  pleasure 
in  presenting  it  to  another,  the  more  colors  the  better. 
But  the  thorn  soon  makes  its  appearance,  pricking 
deep  and  leaving  a  sting  it  is  hard  to  remove. 


LINES. 

By  8.  F.  Wilson. 

"The  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have 
kept  the  faith."     II  Tim.  iv,  6,  7. 

The  gates  of  the  New  Jerusalem, 

The  city  of  our  God, 
Are  opened  wide  in  welcome 

To  such  as  have  kept  the  word. 

57 


Who  the  Lamb  have  faithfully  followed 
Shall  dwell  in  pastures  green, 

Beside  still  flowing  waters 
The  pure  in  heart  are  seen. 

The  text  of  the  dear  departed 

Was, — Broadcast  with  liberal  hand, 

O,  spread  the  tidings  of  great  joy 
Throughout  our  favored  land. 

The  bread  cast  on  the  waters 
Shall  return  after  many  days 

With  increase  even  an  hundred-fold, 
For  such  are  God's  marvelous  ways. 

How  many  rich  years  of  service 
In  teaching  the  blessed  Avord, 

That  the  gospel  seed  in  the  hearts  of  men 
Be  sown  in  the  name  of  the  Lord ! 

For  the  faith  God-given  and  precious, 

A  reason  be  able  to  give, 
So  filled  with  the  power  of  the  spirit 

That  others,  hearing,  may  live. 

Who  is  saved,  must  become  a  savior, 
That  the  lost  may  all  be  found 

And  restored  by  righteous  living 
To  the  pathway  of  Christian  ground. 

'And  still,  'tis  a  simple  lesson," 

Elder  Henry  has  often  said, 
'Cease  to  do  evil,  learn  to  do  well," 

So  plain  from  the  Good  Book  read, 

58 


That  a  child  need  not  err  in  the  choosing, 

The  wayfarer  not  go  astray, 
But  lovingly,  trnstingiy,  walk  the  path, 

Growing  brighter  to  perfect  day. 

******** 

The  good  man,  like  Jesus,  was  calling 

The  children  so  oft  to  come  near. 
He  loved  them,  e'en  as  the  flowers 

That  bloom  in  the  spring  of  the  year. 

He  loved  all  of  God's  creation. 

Not  an  insect  small  would  he  harm, 

His  life  was  a  volume  of  kindness. 
Forbearance,  forgiveness  as  balm. 

We'll  continue  the  work  of  our  fathers. 
Our  mothers,  who've  "gone  on  before," 

Ne'er  weary  nor  faint  in  "well-doing;" 
We  shall  meet  them  when  time  is  no  more. 

We  would  ' '  meet  them  as  friends  of  the  Saviour. 

Who  victory  in  earth-life  have  found. 
Where  they  triumphed  we  also  have  conquest, 

Together  will  reign  and  be  crowned." 


REMARKS. 

By  Our  Friend,  H.  B.  Hathaway,  Sr., 
of  Providence,  B.  I. 

In  fulfilment  of  a  promise  made  some  time  previous, 
I  considered  myself  fortunate  to  reach  the  bedside  of 

59 


dear  Elder  Henry  before  his  departure.  Though  but 
for  a  few  moments,  I  felt  it  a  privilege  to  take  his 
hand  and  say  the  last  word,  "It  is  finished."  Truly 
one  of  God's  noblemen  has  passed  from  earth. 

Several  years  ago,  I  became  acquainted  with  Elder 
Henry  and  his  conversations  were  always  helpful 
to  me.  An  abiding  friendship  grew  and  ripened  from 
the  time  of  my  first  visit.  I  feel  that  I  have  lost 
a  personal  friend,  but  it  is  a  comfort  to  remember 
that  we  shall  meet  again. 

The  dear  friend  was  a  monument  of  goodness  and 
strength,  but  he  has  left  many  monuments  in  this  little 
village  to  his  name  and  life-work,  and  in  our  hearts 
his  memory  will  ever  live. 

I  am  glad  to  have  kno^^^l  him. 


REMARKS. 
By  Dr.  W.  A.  Megrath,  of  Loudon,  N.  E. 

I  have  known  Elder  Henry  for  15  years,  most  of 
that  time  in  a  professional  line.  It  is  my  lot  to  see 
many  persons  under  pain  and  suffering,  but  I  have 
never  visited  Elder  Henry  without  admiring  his  re- 
markable self-control  and  patience.  I  can  truthfully 
say  that  every  ministration  I  have  given  Elder  Henry 
has  been  fully  repaid  in  counsel  and  good  advice. 

"Whenever  I  called  to  see  him,  he  was  frequently 
60 


unable  to  be  at  his  work,  but  he  always  had  some  book 
or  writing  at  hand,  for  he  always  employed  his  leisure 
for  the  betterment  of  his  intellect.  In  conversation 
with  him,  I  never  found  any  topic  he  was  not  per- 
fectly at  home  with,  and  he  generally  showed  thought 
superior  in  judgment  and  wisdom,  being  a  man  liberal 
in  his  views,  always  gathering  only  good  from  persons 
and  experiences. 

In  my  travels  from  town  to  town,  there  is  no  man 
that  is  so  much  inquired  for  as  Elder  Henry.  I  take 
it,  that  it  is  because  of  his  kindly  manner  to  every  one. 

I  learned  to  love  Elder  Henry.  I  shall  miss  him 
as  a  personal  friend. 


SPOKEN  BY  OUR  FRIEND, 

Robert  Morrill  of  Canterbury,  N.  H. 

I  esteem  it  a  privilege  to  attend  this  Memorial  Ser- 
vice in  behalf  of  our  mutual  friend,  Elder  Henry.  I 
have  known  him  from  a  boy. 

Many  people  respected  him  for  his  intelligence  and 
scholarly  mind,  but  I  never  looked  into  his  kindly  face 
that  I  did  not  see  the  mark  of  a  Christian. 

He  was  a  good  man,  always  looked  up  to  and  re- 
spected. The  Shakers  have  lost  a  shining  light,  and 
the  town  of  Canterbury  a  noble  townsman.     I  shall 

61 


miss  my  old-time  friend,  and  I  assure  you  my  sjTnpa- 
thies  are  with  j'ou  all  in  your  bereavement. 


The  service  closed  with  a  benediction  and  the  casket 
was  lovingly  removed  to  its  last  resting-place,  bearing 
many  floral  tokens,  among  which  was  a  memorial  of 
friendship  from  Mr.  S.  H.  Mead  of  IManchester,  N.  H., 
a  bank  of  select  flowers,  lieautiful  roses  and  pinks  con- 
spicuous; also,  a  floral  pillow,  bearing  the  inscription 
"Father,"  from  the  brethren  of  the  home  circle.  The 
flowers  were  left  upon  the  grave,  making  a  pleasant 
farewell  to  our  Friend. 


62 


SELECTIONS  FROM  ELDER  HENRY'S 
SAYINGS. 

We  sing,  "With  the  hundred,  four  and  forty  thou- 
sand, I  would  stand  on  Mount  Zion  with  the  Heavenly 
Lamb."  Many  persons  may  join  in  the  hjann  with 
the  aspiration  to  be  one  of  the  redeemed  number,  but 
of  what  avail  will  it  be  to  stand  in  that  position,  unless 
one  can  feel  that  he  has  honestly  earned  the  place  by 
good  works? 

We  read  with  surprise  of  defalcations  in  the  world 
among  business  men,  yet  do  we  not  witness  the  same 
spirit  in  our  communities  ?  Is  there  not  the  same  ten- 
dency to  evil  in  this  and  many  other  forms?  But  we 
need  not  question  the  cause ;  they  are  only  reaping  the 
harvest  which  they  have  sown.  Are  not  these  numer- 
ous lessons  proof  to  us  of  the  wonderful  truth  of  the 
words,  "Whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he 
also  reap"? 

Another  lesson  comes  to  mind,  of  the  man  who 
owned  a  good  farm  and  his  one  desire  was  to  have  it 
look  pretty,  but  instead  of  taking  pains  to  sow  good 
seed,  which  would  produce  a  useful  and  bountiful 
harvest  of  good  fruit,  he  sowed  thistles,  and  they  grew 

63 


rapidly  to  full  bloom — a  beautiful  show,  but  entirely- 
useless  to  himself  or  his  neighbors. 

For  years  he  reaped  in  sorrow  the  consequence  of 
his  unwise  sowing,  as  we  all  know  the  thistle  sheds  its 
seed  over  many  miles  of  land  and  the  consequences, 
like  bad  habits,  are  not  removed  in  a  day. 

There  are  many  persons  who  are  anxious  to  secure 
a  harvest  of  good  fruit  in  their  lives,  but  unless  they 
are  willing  to  be  disciplined  by  the  law  of  grace,  which 
is  as  the  cultivation  of  the  seed,  they  fail  to  meet  their 
desire.  Some  will  say  they  have  striven  and  prayed 
to  live  a  virtuous  life,  but  the  more  they  prayed  and 
worked  the  worse  they  found  themselves,  forgetting, 
meanwhile,  that  they  have  been  sowing  thistles,  mak- 
ing thrice  the  work  for  themselves ;  for  these  must  all 
be  rooted  up,  the  old  growth  must  be  destroyed  before 
the  good  seed  can  be  sown. 

Herein  we  stand  face  to  face  with  the  stern  realities 
of  life,  for  according  to  God 's  law  of  growth  we  must 
reap  what  we  have  sown,  be  it  in  joy  or  sorrow. 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  meet  with  you,  Brethren  and  Sis- 
ters, on  this,  the  first  evening  of  the  New  Year,  and 
to  wish  you  all  a  prosperous  journey  toward  the  king- 
dom of  Heaven. 

Let  us  renew  our  Christian  watchword,  and  as  we 
make  good  resolutions  for  the  coming  year,  bear  in 

64 


mind  that  all  in  our  lives  which  is  not  of  God  must  be 
sacrificed,  else  we  are  building  with  "hay,  wood  and 
stubble,"  instead  of  on  the  solid  foundation  of  truth. 

There  is  a  hymn  we  sometimes  sing,  which  is : 
"Speak  gently  to  the  erring,  know  they  may  have 
toiled  in  vain."  Speak  gently  to  the  aged,  their  life 
is  nearly  spent.  Speak  gently  to  the  young,  for  they 
will  certainly  have  trouble  enough  to  pass  through. 

I  think  of  this  very  often,  and  when  I  meet  my 
Brethren  I  want  to  pass  them  as  a  brother  in  Christ, 
not  as  one  stranger  passing  another,  but  as  a  friend. 
I  want  to  take  them  by  the  hand  and  speak  words  of 
encouragement  and  comfort  to  them. 

Dear  young  people:  It  is  no  small  matter  to  be 
saved,  but  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  be  lost.  If  you 
would  stand  the  test  of  your  faith,  you  must  be 
planted  in  the  principles  of  truth  and  uprightness,  for 
these  alone  will  hold  you  in  the  hour  of  temptation 
and  trial.  Unless  you  gain  these  as  your  abiding 
treasure,  you  are  in  danger. 

Keep  the  gospel,  it  will  pay  you. 

Many  of  the  things  of  this  world  often  seem  to 

young  people  like  attractive    flowers,  alluring  them 

from  the  path  in  which  their  feet  should  walk.     They 

are  of  all  colors  and  sizes,  and  present  a  dazzling 

5  65 


variety.  Saint  Paul  speaks  of  them  as  undesirable 
and  pernicious,  evils  to  be  avoided.  Let  us  not  stop 
by  the  wayside  to  cull  these  beautiful  but  deceptive 
flowers,  for  it  will  retard  our  progress  in  the  good 
way.  There  are  lovely  flowers,  "roses  and  lilies," 
that  ''eternally  bloom"  in  the  narrow  path  between 
us  and  God.  These  bring  peace  and  comfort  and  are 
kindly  strewn  in  our  way  for  encouragement. 

We  have  a  long  journey  before  us,  but  we  have  the 
assurance  it  will  bring  us  all  to  the  City  of  Rest,  "if 
we  faint  not. ' ' 


66 


HOME  TRIBUTES. 


TRIBUTE. 
Eldress  S.  C.  Hall. 

Well  may  we  sing, 

* '  O,  the  loved  and  blest,  who  have  gone  before, 
We  there  shall  meet  on  immortal  shore 
And  join  in  praises  forevermore, 
As  eternal  life  we  are  sharing." 

What  a  happy  thought!  The  chain  of  soul  com- 
munion with  dear  friends,  who  have  toiled  so  faith- 
fully with  us  while  in  earth-life  still  remains  un- 
broken, being  formed  of  enduring  love,  genuine  and 
true. 

Must  we  say  the  kind  farewell  to  beloved  Elder 
Henry,  the  last  of  our  former  order  of  Ministry,  whom 
we  cherished  with  deep  affection?  They  have  gone 
to  prepare  a  place  for  us,  that  where  they  are,  there 
we  may  be  also.  They  have  given  into  our  keeping 
the  principles  of  the  real  Christian  life,  which  they 
lived  and  taught  by  precept  and  example. 

We  have  known  our  good  Elder  Henry  but  to  love 
and  respect  his  chastened  life  of  peace  and  good-will 
toward  all.  He  was  a  strong  advocate  of  a  righteous, 
godly  life,  as  a  means  of  sowing  broadcast  over  the 

69 


earth  the  teachings  of  Christ  and  the  knowledge  of 
salvation  as  taught  by  IMother  Ann.  Elder  Henry 
often  referred,  in  his  public  discourse,  to  the  peculiar 
mission  of  our  Church.  In  the  pamphlet,  "The  Ad- 
vent of  Christ  in  Man  and  Woman,"  published  by 
him  in  1896,  he  wrote:  "Ann  Lee  was  a  woman  with 
gifts  so  rare,  sustaining  a  life  and  character  so  pure 
and  blameless  before  God  and  man,  that  those  coming 
into  her  presence  at  once  felt  an  influence  and  power 
which  they  could  not  resist." 

Our  beloved  Brother  has  gone  to  reap  the  reward  of 
his  labors;  truly  he  hears  "the  welcome  song  ring  o'er 
the  sea  of  glass." 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


FOOTPRINTS. 
Sister  L.  A.  Shepard. 

Great  and  good  men  leave  behind  them  "footprints 
on  the  sands  of  time."  This  we  may  truly  say  of 
Elder  Henry. 

Through  long  years  of  acquaintance,  we  have  known 
of  his  strict  adherence  to  the  principles  of  the  gospel 
and  his  great  concern  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  king- 
dom of  righteousness  upon  earth.  By  precept  and 
example  he  sought  to  impress  the  truth  that  the  inter- 

70 


est  manifested  in  keeping  the  laws  of  God  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  code  of  rules  adopted  in  our  communal 
homes,  was  best  proof  of  the  depth  of  our  honesty. 

Elder  Henry  was  broad  in  his  views  of  science  and 
religion,  but  held  with  tenacity  to  detail.  A  con- 
scientious apology  for  a  discourtesy  was  as  familiar 
to  us  from  him  as  were  expressions  of  his  loftiest 
ideals.  Nothing  seemed  beneath  his  dignity  that  con- 
tributed to  the  maintenance  of  harmony  and  peace. 
"A  church  divided  against  itself  cannot  stand,  still 
less  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the  spirit,"  he  would 
often  say;  hence  he  freely  acknowledged  any  effort 
made  for  the  promotion  of  health,  convenience,  beauty 
and  honor  in  our  various  homes. 

We  well  know  he  was  endowed  by  nature  with  supe- 
rior mental  and  moral  qualities;  but  these  he  em- 
ployed, through  a  long  life,  as  a  means  toward  true 
soul  culture,  which  excelled  all  else  in  his  mind.  He 
had,  from  his  "youth  up,"  the  strength  of  heaven- 
born  convictions,  and  none  can  gainsay  his  virtue. 

We  feel  that  his  life  lessons  in  this  probationary 
school  have  been  well  learned.  The  chastened  spirit 
falls  into  line  among  the  heavenly  students  so  grace- 
fully that  they  need  not  break  step  in  their  upward 
march. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


71 


IX  MEMORY. 
R.  Cummings. 

"One  more  in  Heaven! 

Another  thought  to  brighten  cloudy  days, 
Another  link  on  high  our  souls  to  raise 
To  home  and  Heaven." 

Aye,  one  more  of  the  bright  sainted  spirits  whose 
presence  has,  for  so  many  years,  blessed  our  earthly 
home,  has  passed  on  to  the  other  life ;  and  we  may  well 
feel  that  another  link  is  forged  in  the  chain  connecting 
us  with  our  heavenly  home. 

When  we  look  back  upon  the  experiences  of  our 
earlier  life  among  the  teachers  and  counsellors  of  our 
youth,  Ave  find  beloved  Elder  Henry  one  whose  counsel 
guided  and  whose  teaching  strengthened  the  choice  to 
forsake  the  relations  and  ambitions  of  a  worldly  life 
for  Christ's  sake,  and  to  enter  into  the  better  relation 
with  the  pure  in  heart.  The  influence  and  example  of 
his  life,  chastened  and  disciplined  by  a  deep  religious 
principle,  shone  out  before  our  youthful  vision  with 
a  lustre  which  the  ripened  acquaintance  of  maturer 
jTars  has  never  dimmed.  To  have  knoA\Ti  such  a  char- 
acter of  sterling  integrity  and  uprightness  has,  indeed, 
been  a  benediction  and  spiritual  uplift  to  those  priAi- 
leged,  for  so  many  years,  to  share  the  helpfulness  and 
inspiration  from  such  devoted,  consecrated  ]\Iinistry. 

Such  need  no  earthly  monuments  to  perpetuate  their 
72 


memory,  for  ineffaceablj-  impressed  upon  our  hearts 
is  the  memory  of  good  deeds  wrought,  kindly,  helpful 
■words  of  admonition  and  counsel  given;  and,  above 
all,  the  beautiful  example  of  thorough  Christian  cour- 
tesy and  kindness,  which  constitute  a  memorial  more 
enduring  than  tablet  of  bronze  or  marble,— impression 
not  only  for  time,  but  for  all  eternity. 

Farewell,  beloved    Elder    Henry!    Though    passed 
from  mortal  sight  we  feel 

"That  ever  near  us,  though  unseen. 
The  dear  immortal  spirits  tread; 
For  all  the  boundless  imiverse 
Is  life, — there  are  no  dead. ' ' 
Enfield,  N.  H. 


A  NOBLE  LIFE. 
n.  B.  Hathaway. 

A  perusal  of  the  life  of  Elder  Henry  could  not  fail 
to  impress  one  with  his  high  ideals  and  noble  aspira- 
tions. These  were  stamped  upon  his  countenance, 
making  more  grand,  features  for  which  nature  had 
done  much.  The  beauty  and  grandeur  of  these  same 
qualities  were  sho-OTi  also  in  his  daily  life,  in  neatness 
of  person  and  nicety  of  handiwork  in  whatever  sphere 
his  talents  were  called  into  action. 

He  was  a  great  lover  of  nature,  and  was  possessed 
73 


of  a  temperament  which  was  keenly  alive  to  the  good 
and  beautiful  in  eveiything.  His  kindly  nature  was 
sure  to  respond  to  any  call  from  the  small  and  weak, 
whether  of  child  or  bird  or  animal.  Any  one  coming 
into  his  presence  could  never  forget  this  grand  trait 
of  character. 

He  was  an  earnest  seeker  after  truth  and  an  admirer 
of  honest  convictions,  no  matter  by  whom  expressed. 

An  ardent  student  of  the  Bible,  his  highest  aim  was 
to  bring  his  life  to  conform  to  what  he  believed  to  be 
his  Christian  duty. 

"Whatever  may  have  been  his  natural  inclinations, 
he  so  disciplined  himself  that  all  felt  the  influence  of 
his  dignified,  yet  kindly  bearing.  He  was  an  honor 
and  a  strength  to  the  cause  to  which  he  gave  his  life ; 
and  in  passing  out  from  among  us  he  has  left  an  ex- 
ample worthy  to  be  patterned. 

To  have  the  love  and  regard  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances as  did  Elder  Henry,  was,  in  itself,  a  tribute  to 
his  integrity  and  sterling  worth. 

East  C^vnterbury,  N.  H. 


OUR  FRIEND. 

E.  I.  Greenwood. 

As  a  young  man  who  has  known  Elder  Henry  since 

my  boyhood  days,  I  would  add  my  tribute  to  the  many 

already  written. 

74 


"Wlien  I  was  a  boy,  he  always  seenied  like  one  of  tlie 
fathers.  Xo  one  knew  him  but  to  love  and  respect 
him.  No  matter  Avhen  or  where  we  met  him,  there 
was  always  the  same  kind,  dignified,  courteous  spirit. 
I  always  enjoyed  talking  with  him.  His  memory  of 
the  society  in  his  early  manhood  was  remarkable.  He 
was  always  ready  with  reminiscences  of  the  old  times 
and  the  old  people.  He,  at  the  same  time,  took  a  very 
great  interest  in  all  the  improvements  of  the  day, 
although  he  could  take  no  active  part  in  them. 

The  birds  and  the  flowers  were  his  friends,  also. 
Many  a  wild  flower  I  have  asked  him  about,  and  he 
always  Imew  all  about  it,  often  telling  me  where  I 
had  found  it.  It  Avas  the  same  with  the  birds.  He 
always  watched  for  them  in  the  spring.  He  would 
take  his  opera  glass  and  watch  the  swallows  building 
their  nests,  or  a  robin  in  a  high  tree.  In  the  latter 
years  of  his  life,  when  confined  to  the  house,  he 
seemed  to  watch  them  as  companions. 

In  these  last  days,  when  the  weather  kept  him  in- 
doors a  great  deal,  we  always  watched  for  him  on  the 
sunny  days,  when  he  could  walk  out.  When  he  met 
us,  he  always  had  a  smile,  a  pleasant  word;  or,  if  too 
far  away,  would  wave  his  hand  or  cane,  as  a  sign  of 
recognition.  Now,  it  really  seems  as  if  he  had  left  us 
but  for  a  wliile,  and  on  some  one  of  these  bright  sunny 
days  we  should  see  him  again. 

75 


He  is  the  last  of  the  old  fathers  to  leave  us.  We 
have  watched  them  go,  one  by  one,  until  now  we  have 
left  only  the  remembrance  of  their  good  lives  and 
good  deeds,  which  can  never  die,  and  which  are  an 
incentive  to  us  to  see  to  it  that  when  we  have  closed 
this  earthly  pilgrimage,  we  may  leave  behind  a  record 
of  faithfulness  and  devotion  to  the  cause  to  which  they 
gave  their  all. 

East  Caxterbury.  X.  H. 


A  GUIDING  LIGHT. 
A.  Allison. 

Our  hearts  need  not  be  saddened  by  the  death  of 
our  beloved  Brother,  but  may  be  made  brighter  by  the 
guiding  light  which  his  life  has  shed  in  our  path.  He 
has  set  us  an  example,  true  to  the  standard  by  which 
our  Saviour  lived  and  taught,  for  he  believed  that  de- 
votion to  God  con.stituted  the  whole  duty  of  man. 

Elder  Henry  was  a  verj"  pleasing  man.  He  had  a 
cheery  word  for  everj'  one  he  met.  On  drearj-  days 
his  "Good  morning"  seemed  to  put  a  silver  lining  to 
every  dark  cloud. 

As  young  people,  our  hearts  bring  a  tribute  of  grati- 
tude for  the  good  counsel  which  Elder  Henry  so  will- 
ingly imparted  to  us  in  our  life  struggle,  where  he  had 
come  off  victorious. 

76 


TVe,  then,  as  ''workers  together  with  him/'  shall 
seek  to  live,  as  did  our  beloved  Brother  and  teacher, 
"by  pureness,  by  knowledge,  by  long-suffering,  by 
kindness,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  love  unfeigned." 

East  Caxtekburt.  X.  H. 


IN  GRATEFUL  EEMEIMBRAXCE. 
A.  J.  Crooker. 

The  silent  messenger  of  death  has  removed  from  our 
home  circle  our  beloved  friend  and  Brother,  Elder 
Henry. 

"We  have  known  him  for  many  years  only  to  honor 
and  respect  his  devoted  and  willing  ministry,  given 
for  the  maintenance  of  our  gospel  home.  TVe  believe 
his  soul's  interest  will  still  be  with  his  people,  and  he 
will,  though  unseen,  be  near  to  bless  and  comfort  those 
who  remain  to  bear  the  burden  he  was  wont  to  carry 
in  bygone  days. 

He  has  set  his  seal  of  neatness,  order  and  fidelity 
wherever  he  has  been  called  to  act. 

We  lovingly  repeat  the  kind  farewell,  while  we  hold 
in  remembrance  his  loyalty  to  the  principles  of  truth 
and  purity  as  the  foundation  stones  of  our  commiuiity. 

"We  believe  the  resurrected  spirit  will  be  welcomed 
by  many  former  loved  companions  in  the  ' '  Sweet  Sum- 


mer  Land,"  and  he  will  receive  the  blessed  assurance, 
' '  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  now  into 
the  rest  prepared  for  those  who  have  fought  the  good 
fight  and  kept  the  faith  unto  the  end." 
East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


A  PAGE  FROM  MEMORY. 
A.  Cummings. 

I  am  pleased  to  offer  my  tribute  of  filial  regard  to 
the  life  and  character  of  the  beloved  Brother,  whom 
I  have  known  from  childhood  as  a  strong  advocate  of 
Christianity. 

As  I  turn  the  pages  of  Memory's  Book,  I  recall  the 
efforts  made  to  print  and  circulate  the  truths  and 
principles  so  dear  to  the  Heaven-bound  pilgrim,  the 
circulation  of  which  has  not  only  been  good  and  help- 
ful in  spreading  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  abroad, 
but  at  the  same  time  has  been  the  means  of  confirming 
faith  within  the  church. 

Another  blessing  shared  through  the  instrumental- 
ity of  beloved  Elder  Henry  was  an  interpretation  of 
the  Scriptures  as  the  message  of  God  to  lead  souls  to 
life  eternal. 

I  am  glad  that  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  know  in 
this  life    friendships    that    never    wane.     Beautiful 


spirits  have  passed  from  among  us  to  the  higher  life. 
May  their  blessing  and  instruction  overshadow  us  until 
we,  too,  pass  the  pearly  gate ! 
Enfield,  N.  H. 


SUNSET  CALL. 

Mary  Basford. 

While  looking  for  the  last  time  upon  the  peaceful 
features  of  our  lifelong  friend,  Elder  Henry,  the 
words  of  the  poet  Tennyson  came  to  mind : 

"Sunset  and  evening  star, 
And  one  clear  call  for  me; 
And  may  there  be  no  moaning  of  the  bar, 
When  I  put  out  to  sea. ' ' 

No  thought  of  death  lingered  with  us;  the  silence 
seemed  only  like  a  sleep  from  which  he  would  awaken 
to  the  full  fruition  of  his  lifework  across  the  "Great 
Divide." 

The  faith  and  goodness  of  his  mission  here  extends 
its  influence  to  many  hearts.  The  character  was  made 
stronger  and  spiritual  growth  more  perfect  by  meet- 
ing each  daily  test  with  fortitude.  We  ask  that  you 
bear  to  Heaven  our  best  offerings,  and  may  we  meet 
you  in  the  house  of  many  mansions. 

Enfield,  N.  H. 

79 


DEPARTED. 
M.  Keniston. 

"Onr  truest  tributes  must  ever  remain  unwritten," 
as  only  in  the  language  of  the  soul  can  the  deepest, 
purest  emotions  be  expressed. 

The  stillness  of  death  pervades  our  home,  a  visible 
presence  is  taken  from  our  midst.  A  good  man  has 
departed  from  among  us.  His  life  work,  unwearied 
and  constant,  declares  his  uprightness,  and  must  ever 
remain  as  a  monument  to  his  memory,  more  durable 
than  any  of  earthly  material.  He  has  indeed  fought 
the  good  fight,  and  kept  the  Christian  faith,  and  now 
can  fully  realize  that 

"There  is  a  peaceful,  happy  state, 
Where  parting  is  not  known." 

Enfield,  N.  H. 


IN  TRIBUTE. 

M.  J.  Tatterton. 

"Beautiful  soul,  you  have  braved  every  conflict, 
Nobly  contended  with  wind  and  with  tide. 
Arisen,  to  meet  the  brave  souls  at  the  'Landing,' 
Arisen,  with  friends  of  earth-life  to  abide." 

We  may  not  see  the  familiar  form,  but  instinctively 
we  speak  of  the  good  father  as  still  with  us.     Our  con- 

80 


fidence  in  the  life  to  come  tells  us  the  spirit  has  only 
arisen  above  the  environments  of  earth,  and  will  not 
forsake  the  people  with  whom  he  has  shared  Zion's 
interests  and  burdens  for  nearly  three-score  years. 

With  friends  and  coworkers  who  have  passed  on 
before,  we  love  to  believe  he  is  now  rejoicing,  as  they 
alone  rejoice  "who  victory  in  earth-life  have  found." 

With  untiring  faithfulness,  he  strove  to  promote  in- 
telligence in  our  home,  not  only  from  an  educational 
standpoint,  but  working  to  the  end  that  every  young 
disciple  be  able  to  give  a  reason  for  the  faith  cherished. 

His  example  is  as  a  shining  light,  and  his  influence 
still  rests  with  us  as  a  blessing  to  society. 

Beloved  Elder  Henry !  The  memory  of  his  noble  life 
will  ever  be  an  incentive  to  forget  not  the  God  of  our 
fathers  and  to  forsake  not  the  law  of  our  mothers. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 
M.  E.  Briggs. 
"Salvation  comes  largely  from  a  disciplinary  care 
of  the  mind,  and  it  would  be  a  sad  travesty  on  the 
name  of  a  gentleman  or  Christian  to  find  that  some  of 
the  essentials  for  the  foundation  of  a  better  Christian 
character  were  carelessly  ignored." 

I  quote  the  above  keynote  of  the  lifework  of  our 
*  81 


arisen  father,  Elder  Henry  C.  Blinn,  from  "Gentle 
Manners,"  a  book  quite  recently  revised  by  him,  a 
rich  legacy  for  future  generations,  bearing  the  impress 
on  every  page  of  a  well-trained  mind  and  a  pure  heart. 
I  have  hope  that  it  may  sometime  be  used  by  many 
young  people  as  a  text-book,  as  one  has  given  us  the 
assurance  that  his  able  editorials  in  The  Manifesto 
were  just  beginning  to  bear  fruit  in  the  West. 

The  mere  grouping  together  of  words  on  paper,  in 
the  form  of  eulogy,  is  to  me  counterfeit  if  the  spirit 
has  been  of  a  different  character  in  its  relationship ; 
indeed,  it  is  said,  ' '  The  world  breaks  the  hearts  of  its 
benefactors  and  then,  after  many  days,  builds  them 
sepulchers. ' ' 

It  is  my  privilege  to  say  my  whole  acquaintance 
leaves  pleasant  memories.  My  first  intelligent  inter- 
est in  the  Scriptures  as  a  guide  in  life  was  not  only 
awakened,  but  established,  through  the  labors  of  this 
faithful,  gentle  teacher;  and  I  am  grateful  to  have 
known  in  earth-life,  one  to  whom  so  truthfully  may 
be  applied  the  term,  "Man  of  God."  His  ministra- 
tions have  ever  been  of  an  uplifting  character,  and  I 
seem  to  hear  his  interested  spirit  saying  to  those  who 
are  yet  toiling,  "Weary  not  in  well-doing." 

Enfield,  N.  H. 


82 


FILIAL  REMEMBRANCE. 

J.  Evans. 

''You  may  break,  you  may  shatter  the  vase,  if  you 

will; 

But  the  scent  of  the  roses  will  hang  round  it  still. " 

So  wrote  the  poet  Thomas  Moore;  and  so  we  men- 
tally addressed  the  messenger  with  whom  our  beloved 
Elder  Henry  slipped  away  from  earth  on  the  after- 
noon of  April  1. 

He  was  the  last  of  our  patriarchs,  as  we  may  say, 
and  we  were  doubly  loth  to  say  farewell.  His  de- 
parture marks  the  boundary,  as  it  were,  between  the 
veteran  counsellors  of  the  past  and  the  burden-bearers 
of  the  present,  to  whom  their  trusts  are  confided. 

For  this  reason  the  past  seven  years  have  been  pecu- 
liarly pathetic  with  us.  Elder  Henry  alone  M-as 
spared  to  us,  and  we  loved  to  see  the  kind  white-haired 
father  pass  to  and  fro.  We  loved  to  refer  to  him  any 
home  item  that  would  not  cause  him  anxiety.  The 
little  keepsakes  of  his  neat  handiwork,  distributed 
here  and  there  among  us,  possessed  a  special  value. 
As  he  bent  upon  his  cane  from  increasing  feebleness, 
his  soul,  too,  seemed  to  bend  in  blessing  over  the  spir- 
itual consecrations  and  the  temporal  enterprises  of 
those  who  succeeded  him  and  his  risen  companions  in 
the  stewardship  of  our  home.     It  was  touching  to  hear 

83 


him  often  refer  to  his  ' '  going  away  before  long, ' '  and 
to  witness  his  implicit  trust  that  all  would  be  well 
eared  for. 

None  came  within  the  radius  of  his  influence  with- 
out honoring  his  sterling  virtues.  He  had  always  a 
smile  and  a  cheery  word  for  the  inexperienced;  the 
children  were  never  ill  at  ease  or  timid  when  near 
Elder  Henry. 

There  is  another  "vacant  chair"  in  our  midst,  we 
miss  the  dear  familiar  friends  we  loved  so  well ;  but  we 
cannot  speak  of  death.  "To  live  in  hearts  we  leave 
behind,  is  not  to  die." 

East  Cantekbury,  N.  H. 


TO  OUR  FRIEND. 

"  It  is  not  much  the  heart  can  tell  in  words  of  human 

speech. 
Its  deep  recesses  lie  apart  where  only  thought  to 
thought  can  reach." 

In  contemplating  the  nobility  of  character  and  in- 
estimable worth  of  our  venerated  father  and  friend, 
the  above  couplet  from  the  pen  of  the  immortal  J.  G. 
Holland  occurs  to  mind.  We  make  the  quotation  both 
for  its  beauty  of  sentiment  and  its  seeming  appro- 
priateness in  this  instance;  for  how  is  it  possible  for 
us  to  give  fitting  expression  to  the  thoughts  and  feel- 

84 


ings  which  fill  our  hearts  regarding  our  sainted 
father  ? 

Considering  the  glorious  heights  to  which  he  has 
attained,  we  are  led  to  wonder  if  his  thoughts  can  now 
commingle  with  our  thoughts.  Yea,  we  verily  believe 
that  although  he  has  ascended  the  glorious  Mountain 
of  God,  his  loving  spirit  does  often  return  to  commune 
with  the  friends  to  whom  he  was  bound  by  ties  of 
gospel  love  and  affection ;  and  beautiful  thoughts  often 
come  to  us  like  an  inspiration.  What  blessed  reflec- 
tions fill  our  souls  when  we  consider  the  benefits  we 
received  spiritually  through  his  ministrations  of  love 
and  wise  counsels! 

As  an  invalid  he  sojourned  with  us  for  two  brief 
periods  of  time,  with  the  hope  of  improving  his  im- 
paired health.  We  had  been  privileged  to  meet  him 
on  former  occasions,  when,  on  his  ministerial  tours, 
he  made  us  brief  calls.  We  then  felt  that  he  was  one 
of  nature's  noblemen,  but  we  never  so  fully  realized 
the  greatness  of  his  soul  and  the  rare  qualities  of 
mind,  until  we  were  privileged  to  entertain  him  as  our 
guest  on  the  occasions  to  which  we  refer. 

We  know  that  our  lives  have  been  enriched  by  those 
associations,  and  we  had  earnestly  hoped  that  we 
might  be  permitted  to  enjoy  at  least  one  more  such 
season  while  he  yet  remained  a  pilgrim  in  earth-life. 
As  those  cherished  hopes  were  not  to  be  realized,  we 

85 


"will  strive  to  heed  his  wise  admonitions,  and  so  order 
our  lives  that  we  may  meet  him  in  the  supernal  re- 
gions, whither  his  pure  spirit  has  gone. 

His  soul  v.-as  so  illumined  with  divine  light  and 
love,  that  he  radiated  sunshine  wherever  he  went,  and 
the  benedictions  which  he  kindly  bestowed  upon  all, 
especially  the  Household  of  Faith,  were  like  the  ' '  dews 
of  Hermon. ' '  With  Heaven 's  glorified  throng  he  now 
stands  robed  in  vestments  of  purity,  for  "he  put  on 
righteousness  and  it  clothed  him. ' ' 

Since  we  believe  his  spirit  has  found  perfect  rest  in 
the  joy  of  the  Lord,  we  conclude  with  the  words  of 
the  Psalmist:  "Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the 
upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 
From  Office  Friends, 

West  Pittsfield,  Mass. 


WITH  THE  ANGELS. 
L.  D.  Horton. 

"Elder  Henry  is  with  the  angels."  Such  was  the 
message  which  came  to  us  as  the  day  in  all  its  loveli- 
ness was  nearing  its  close.  How  beautiful !  I  thought. 
Not  dead!  but  entered  within  the  portal  of  deathless 
life. 

We  heard  not  the  heavenly  summons,  but  the  sacred 
hush  hovering  about  the    apartments    where  he  had 

86 


been  passing  only  a  feAv  days  before,  told  us  that  while 
we  were  reverently  and  silently  saying  "Good-bye," 
angels,  bending  near  to  earth,  w'ere  marking  a  rest  in 
life's  hymn,  waiting  to  touch  their  harps  of  gold,  when 
the  lingering  spirit  should  join  the  friends  at  "The 
Landing,"  and  shore  unto  shore  should  respond  in 
the  heavenly  anthem  of  welcome. 

To  know  Elder  Henry  w^as  to  be  acquainted  with  one 
of  God's  good  men, — a  character  made  noble  by  self- 
discipline,  accuracy,  integrity,  faithfulness  and  indus- 
try. These  virtues,  together  with  the  graces  of  truth 
and  kindliness,  paved  for  him  a  royal  road  to  Heaven, 
and  won  for  him  a  treasure  eternal. 

Could  w^e  record  all  the  pleasant  memories  that  are 
ours,  they  would  be  many.  One  lingers  in  thought,  of 
an  occasion  when  experiencing  a  test  of  Christian 
faith,  resulting  in  the  choice  made  to  ' '  forsake  all  for 
Christ's  sake,"  Elder  Henry  met  me  with  the  words  of 
blessing,  ' '  Yea,  wisely  chosen  is  that  better  part  which 
shall  not  be  taken  away. ' '  The  confidence  and  encour- 
agement from  one  who  knew  of  the  blessings  of  self- 
surrender,  and  walked  with  Christ  in  the  regeneration, 
have  rested  upon  my  life  as  a  benediction  and  been  a 
guide  to  right  and  duty. 

Through  declining  years,  Elder  Henry  gave  us  many 
specimens  of  his  handiwork,  neatly  and  lovingly 
wrought,  and  when  the  feeble  hands  laid  aside  the 

87 


tools,  and  he  sought  the  rest  promised  to  all  that  labor, 
we  heard  his  voice  in  words  of  blessing  and  assurance, 
which  beautifully  completed  the  closing  record  of  his 
life,  placing  thereon  the  seal  of  love,  peace,  gentleness 
and  goodness. 
East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


GOOD  NIGHT. 
J.  E.  Wilson. 

"We  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told. "  Psalms, 
xc,  9. 

The  history  of  another  life  is  ended.  The  last  chap- 
ter written,  the  seal  of  the  death  angel  placed  upon  it. 
We  have  caught  glimpses  here  and  there  of  the  record 
within  its  pages,  have  read  of  noble  consecration  and 
untiring  devotion  to  faith,  of  unswerving  fidelity  and 
unflinching  loyalty  to  duty.  The  benediction  comes, 
"Thou  hast  kept  the  faith."  Thou  hast  fought  the 
good  fight,  and  now  liest  honored  with  our  "noble 
dead." 

When  a  child,  I  loved  Elder  Henry,  for  I  could 
realize  he  was  a  good  and  an  upright  man,  but  my 
first  actual  acquaintance  commenced  when,  at  14  years 
of  age,  I  was  privileged  to  help  the  Sisters  at  the 
printing  office.  From  that  date  began  a  series  of  ex- 
periences which  were  bounded  only  by  my  capacity. 


As  the  years  passed  and  I  grew  more  thoughtful,  I 
began  to  reverence  and  respect  the  character  \^i'ought 
out  through  a  life  of  Christian  discipline. 

"Line  upon  line,  precept  upon  precept,"  was  one 
of  Elder  Henry's  favorite  mottoes,  and  lessons  of 
punctuality  and  precision  in  the  details  of  business 
were  matters  of  daily  instruction.  Birds,  flowers,  the 
bees  and  even  the  fishes  of  the  sea,  all  bespeaking 
God's  creation,  were  of  great  interest  to  him,  and  he 
never  wearied  of  answering  our  eager  questions.  Thus 
we  often  combined  business  with  pleasure. 

And  so,  beloved  Elder  Henry,  as  we  bade  thee 
"Good  night"  at  set  of  sun  each  day  of  the  long  ago, 
so,  now,  we  say  "Good  night;"  we  will  meet  thee  in 
the  great  eternal  morning. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H.. 


GATHERED  HOME. 

E.  E.  Fitts. 

Methinks  the  Angel  Harvester  is  well  pleased  with 
the  rich  prize  borne  from  our  home  today.  The  sickle 
of  "The  Reaper"  has  garnered  a  valuable  sheaf  for 
the  treasure-house  of  God's  spiritual  kingdom, — 
ripened  wheat,  bending  'neath  the  fullness  and  rich- 
ness of  maturity,  free  from  the  blight  and  rust  of 
earthly  elements. 

89 


Nature  may  or  may  not  have  given  the  best  material 
with  which  to  build  a  character  for  God,  but  the  All- 
Wise  Potter  molded  and  re-molded  the  vessel  of  clay 
for  service,  and  the  furnace  of  afBiction  refined,  even 
as  gold  is  refined,  till  the  living  sacrifice  was  an  offer- 
ing of  righteousness. 

As  the  fragrance  of  the  rose  attracts  our  attention, 
and  the  whiteness  of  the  lily  claims  our  admiration, 
so  the  v/ell-developed  Christian  graces  in  the  life  now 
passed  beyond  the  vail,  renew  our  aspirations  to  attain 
the  exceeding  righteousness,  the  purity  of  the  Christ 
standard,  the  "pearl  of  great  price." 

The  energies  consecrated  here  to  the  mission  work  of 
Christ  now  rise  untramelled  to  the  broader  fields 
above,  and  who  shall  say  that  a  satisfaction  will  not 
be  realized  deeper  than  earth  has  ever  afforded,  in  the 
exchange  of  the  bread  and  waters  of  life  ? 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


A  LIFE  TRIUMPHANT. 
H.  A.  Johns. 

' '  God 's  finger  touched  him  and  he  slept. ' ' 

We  love  to  speak  of  the  peaceful  departure  from 

earth-life  and  sing  of  the  glorious  rest  the  spirit  finds 

amid  the  heavenly  joys.     Still,  while  we  reflect  upon 

these  closing  scenes,  our  thoughts  are  directed  to  the 

90 


years  wherein  we  have  associated  with  and  known  the 
virtuous  man  whose  life  here  was  triumphant  over 
transient  difficulties  and  selfish  ambitions. 

Victorious  over  evils  which  would  mar  the  name  of 
Christian,  he  "pressed  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  in  Christ." 

How  was  this  triumph  obtained  "1  We  answer  in  the 
words  Elder  Henry  loved  so  well : 

"Grain  by  grain  the  treasure's  won, 
Step  by  step  the  race  is  run. ' ' 

Discipline  was  the  beauty  of  his  life.  His  conver- 
sation was  refined,  pure,  simple,  yet  marked  with 
gentle  candor.  According  to  the  proverb,  he  was  a 
wise  man,  always  ready  to  hear  and  increase  his  learn- 
ing in  all  things  good  and  useful,  and  he  willingly 
imparted  the  same  to  the  child  or  the  adult  who  sought 
his  company.  His  manners  were  always  graced  by 
kindliness  of  heart. 

A  discipline  of  thought  led  him  to  lay  aside  all  com- 
mon secular  matters  of  interest  and  reading  at  the 
close  of  the  week,  choosing  material  appropriate  to 
the  Sabbath  of  rest  and  worship.  He  fully  believed 
in  such  guides  as  "Order  is  Heaven's  first  law,"  and 
"Cleanliness  is  next  to  Godliness,"  beautifully  har- 
monizing his  words  and  deeds,  rising  on  these  step- 
ping-stones to  the  "measure  of  the  stature  of  the  ful- 
ness of  Christ." 

91 


Careful  attention  to  the  trifles  made  perfection  but 
"perfection  is  no  trifle,"  and  we  look  upon  the  noble 
life  with  admiration  and  desire  to  emulate  one  who 
loiew  from  actual  life  experience  of  the  doctrine 
preached  by  Christ:  "Be  ye  therefore  perfect."  He 
often  quoted,  too,  the  beautiful  words  of  Father  James 
Whittaker,— "  The  way  of  God  is  strait  as  straitness 
and  as  pure  as  the  heavens."  The  earth  is  made 
poorer  and  Heaven  richer  by  this  transition. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


CLOSING  OF  LIFE'S  BOOK. 
F.  E.  Phelps. 

Elder  Henry's  life-book  is  finished.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  writing  it  in  our  midst  and  we  have 
been  privileged  to  often  read  from  it  of  his  Christian 
experience  and  discipline.  We  have  seen  written 
there  his  trust  in  God,  his  confidence  in  his  Brethren 
and  Sisters,  and  his  untiring  efforts  in  the  sacred 
cause  to  which  he  pledged  himself  in  early  life. 

Not  only  did  he  write  in  his  own  life-book,  but 
many,  by  turning  back  the  pages  of  theirs,  may  trace 
valuable  lessons  of  counsel  and  instruction  given  by 
Elder  Henry,  indelibly  impressed  upon  its  pages. 
Well  might  he  have  said,  "I  have  finished  the  work 
thou  gavest  me  to  do." 

92 


Often  did  his  good  thoughts  appear  through  the 
mediumship  of  the  pen,  and  not  a  few  treasure  today 
in  their  possessions  the  kind  expressions  of  friendship 
written  when  he  was  absent. 

Shall  we  never  more  trace  his  thought  in  our  lives? 
Ah,  we  may  never  again  in  this  life  see  the  hand  that 
conveys  the  message,  but  we  have  this  assurance,  that 

Today,  from  his  home  with  the  angels. 
His  greetings  now  reach  us  anew^. 
Which  say  to  our  listening  spirits: 
I  will  still  write  of  Heaven  to  you, 
Yea,  I'll  write  as  I  did  when  in  earth-life. 
On  the  hearts  of  the  people  I  love, 
The  joys  of  this  land  of  rich  promise. 
The  kingdom  of  Heaven  above. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


A  SIMILE. 

Fidelia  Esterhrooh. 

Upon  a  towering  mountain  top,  where  the  bending 
sky  touched  its  head  and  cro-\vned  it  with  light,  a  little 
stream  was  born.  Cradled  by  mossy  rocks,  lulled  by 
the  breezes,  reflecting  the  sunlight  on  its  water,  it 
turned  upward  a  smiling  face  dimpled  by  the  pebbles 
upon  its  borders. 

Thus,  drinking  from  Heaven's  fount,  feeding  on 
93 


its  light,  it  grew  each  day,  until  overflowing,  it  fol- 
lowed a  rocky  path  do\Mi  the  mountain  slope,  singing 
on  its  way,  pausing  to  play  in  shady  nooks,  or  quench- 
ing the  thirst  of  bird  or  beast,  as  they  sought  its  cool 
retreats. 

Onward  it  rippled,  coming  nearer  the  haunts  of 
man,  emerging  in  broad  fields,  or  losing  itself  in  tan- 
gled forests,  but  ever  echoing  the  same  sweet  song, 
always  remaining  the  same  clear  stream.  It  loved  the 
children  of  nature.  The  stately  trees  sent  down  little 
rootlet  water-carriers  to  secure  supplies  from  its  pure 
waters;  the  wild  flowers  nodded  and  smiled,  as  they 
rested  near  its  surface,  or  gained  a  beauty  glow  from 
a  bath  in  its  brimming  basin;  the  grasses  whispered 
to  it  as  they  snuggled  close  to  its  edge,  and  the  birds 
threw  back  their  heads  and  Avarbled  songs  of  praise 
as  they  drank  at  its  fount. 

Thus,  scattering  blessing  and  gro^ving  thereby 
broader  and  deeper,  it  assumed  tasks  as  it  entered  the 
valley,  turning  the  busy  mill-wheels,  giving  refreshing 
drink  to  the  cattle  as  it  wound  its  way  through  pasture 
lands,  enriching  field  and  meadow,  leaving  verdure 
and  growth  wherever  it  had  passed. 

And,  when  the  play-day  of  life  was  over,  just  as 
gladly  it  bore  the  responsibilities  which  broader 
growth  required.  Transmitting  messages  from  shore 
to  shore,  carrying  heavy    burdens    here    and    there, 

9i 


reaching  arms  of  helpfulness  to  grasp  the  loads  which 
the  busy  crowd  brought  to  its  banks,  it  still  pressed 
ever  onward,  but  now  growTi  calm  and  smooth,  serene 
in  its  conscious  power.  Though  storms  might  break 
upon  its  surface,  or  its  waves  rise  in  the  winds  that 
blew  over  it,  underneath  the  current  ran  strong  and 
true,  keeping  firmly  on  its  way. 

Thus  many  years  passed.  Its  duties  increasing, 
proved  but  added  blessings,  for  strong  and  tranquil, 
it  at  last  entered  the  gateway  to  the  boundless  sea, 
there  in  content  awaiting  its  recall  to  the  upper 
realms,  to  enter  another  phase  of  life.  A  life  of 
blessing  lay  behind  it,  a  glorious  trust  pointed  to 
greater  blessing  before. 

As  we  think  of  its  history,  we  are  reminded  of  the 
river  whose  waters  shall  make  glad  the  City  of  God, 
and  recalling  the  history  of  our  loved  Elder  Henry, 
who  now  has  passed  within  that  city,  we  hold  his  life, 
in  similitude,  with  the  calm  and  peaceful  river. 

In  early  life  pure  and  clear,  loving  all  the  many 
forms  of  nature,  finding  companionsliip  in  the  little 
flowers  that  blossomed  at  his  feet,  and  reading  mes- 
sages in  the  song  and  trill  of  each  tiny  bird,  all  spoke 
to  him  in  various  languages,  and  he  translated  and 
understood  their  loving  words. 

Through  life's  hindrances,  over  its  cares,  amid  its 
burdens,  he  passed,  undisturbed  by  wind  or  storm,  for 

95 


the  deep  abiding  peace  of  "a  heart  at  leisure  from 
itself"  was  his. 

Seeking  always  the  highest  and  best,  searching  for 
clearer  light,  he  strove  to  instill  in  other  hearts  a  de- 
sire for  a  life  of  purity,  throwing  beams  of  light  out- 
ward in  darkened  places,  that,  perchance,  some  wan- 
derer there,  by  its  rays  might  seek  for  truth.  By 
voice  gentle  and  earnest,  by  pen  ready  and  true,  he 
circulated  far  and  near  the  truths  of  the  higher  life 
which  he  emulated. 

Thus,  through  the  years  the  broader  and  deeper  life 
expanded,  and  the  calm  assurance  of  a  loyal  heart 
bade  him  look  to  the  future  in  hope  and  trust,  until, 
without  a  ripple  or  murmur,  in  sweet  peace  and  con- 
tent, his  spirit  was  merged  in  the  sea  of  infinite  love. 
The  higher  call  found  him  ready  gladly  to  follow,  for 
his  heart  was  not  troubled  nor  his  spirit  afraid.  He 
had  drunk  at  the  fount  of  which  Christ  said,  it  should 
be  as  a  "well  of  water  springing  up  unto  everlasting 
life." 

The  peace  which  the  world  cannot  give  was  his — 
the  perfect  love  "which  casteth  out  fear,"  and  the 
joy  of  the  redeemed. 

As  his  spirit  passed  from  mortal  sight,  the  radiant 
setting  sun  shone  brightly  on  its  surface,  gilding  it 
with  glory;  and  as  it  passed  through  the  gates  into 
the  city,  songs  of  rejoicing  were  wafted  backward^ 


whose  echoes  float  to  us  as  we  catch  the  refrain, ' '  These 
are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and 
have  washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the 
life  of  the  Lamb.  They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither 
thirst  any  more;  for  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst 
of  the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto 
living  fountains  of  waters.  Blessed  are  they  that  do 
his  commandments,  that  they  may  have  right  to  the 
tree  of  life,  and  may  enter  in  through  the  gates  into 
the  city." 

West  Pittsfield,  IVLvss. 


CHOICE  SELECTIONS. 
31.  L.  Wilson. 

Now  that  the  material  presence  of  our  worthy  Elder 
has  left  us,  our  thoughts  revert  to  some  of  the  beau- 
tiful sayings  of  the  Bible  which  are  interwoven  with 
our  memory  of  him,  because  he  loved  often  to  repeat 
them.  Especial  favorites  were:  "Fear  thou  not,  for 
I  am  with  thee,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand 
of  my  righteousness."  "To  him  that  overcometh 
will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  a  white 
stone  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  written,  which  no 
man  knoweth  saving  he  that  receiveth  it. ' '  And  this : 
* '  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord. ' ' 

His  letters,  too,  contain  choice  mementoes  which 
^  97 


we  present  as  a  lovely  bouquet  of  everlastings,  the 
beauty  of  which  is  enhanced  by  the  high  light  of  the 
writer 's  Christian  life :  "I  am  glad  to  know  so  many 
of  you  who,  as  the  young  people  of  today,  have  learned 
to  do  good  work,  so  that  you  can  be  trusted  without 
fear  of  harm  or  waste  to  consecrated  property.  I 
often  think  of  you  all,  and  just  now  am  especially 
interested  in  the  printers,  who,  I  trust,  will  always 
remember  what  is  meant  by  'careful  justification.' 

"  It  is  good  to  bear  in  mind  the  earnest  workers  who 
have  gone  before  us.  We  might  call  up  many  sainted 
names,  the  very  memory  of  which  serves  to  make  us 
better. 

"There  are  those  still  with  you  equally  worthy  of 
your  love  and  veneration;  l)eing  true  as  they  have 
been  true,  will  entitle  you  to  an  heirship  with  them 
in  all  the  good  promises  of  God. 

"Your  gospel  privilege  is  well  worth  all  the  self- 
denial  you  can  maintain.  Keep  your  faith,  dear 
young  friends,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  ^A-ill  keep  you. 

From  a  letter  addressed  to  the  teachers,  we  cull: 
"As  I  think  of  the  duties  assigned  instructors  of  youth 
and  children,  it  naturally  calls  to  mind  a  correspond- 
ing avocation  in  which  I  was  engaged  over  forty  years 
ago.  The  good  work  must  go  on  throughout  all  eter- 
nity, and  if  children  can  be  guided  into  a  virtuous 
manhood  or    womanhood,  what    greater    satisfaction 

98 


could  be  desired?  As  it  is,  we  are  abundantly  re- 
warded in  our  faithfulness  to  God,  for  all  the  good  we 
do  becomes  our  heavenly  treasure. 

"I  hope  my  Brethren  and  Sisters  will  be  blessed 
with  health  to  live  long  and  do  much  good.  Accept 
my  love  for  the  whole  household,  and  don't  forget  the 
children. ' ' 

To  mission  workers  on  a  visit  to  Providence,  R.  I., 
the  following  was  written :  ' '  We  are  glad  you  are 
among  friends  who  entertain  a  kind  regard  for  our 
society.  Well,  if  you  make  them  your  friends,  try  at 
the  same  time  to  make  them  friends  of  God  and  the 
workers  of  righteousness." 

"As  an  aid  to  your  Christian  endeavor,  I  send  you 
a  few  copies  of  'The  Life  and  Gospel  Experience  of 
Mother  Ann  Lee,'  which  I  have  just  completed.  Prov- 
idence is  my  native  city.  Be  good  evangelists  and 
impress  upon  all  with  whom  you  converse  that  they 
must  'love  the  Lord'  with  all  their  might,  mind  and 
strength,  in  conformity  with  the  'new  commandment' 
proclaimed  by  Christ.  Sometime,  I  hope  to  be  able 
to  conduct  a  Shaker  meeting  in  that  neighborhood,  as 
we  have  many  good  friends  there.  As  opportunity 
offers,  extend  to  all  our  kindest  regards.  We  hope 
they  will  not  be  the  losers  in  what  they  may  do  for 
you  in  the  name  of  your  Church." 

A  day  or  two  before  Elder  Henry's  demise,  the  busy 
99 


mind  of  the  sufferer  seemed  to  take  the  bearing  of  the 
family,  as  was  his  wont  in  days  of  ability.  Several 
Sisters  were  absent  from  home,  quite  beyond  recall 
even  for  the  parting  word  which  would  have  been  so 
precious.  He  one  day  remarked,  "By  the  way,  some 
of  the  Sisters  are  away  from  home;  well,  they  are 
worth  thinking  about. ' '  An  attendant  added,  ' '  They 
are  jewels,"  to  which  came  the  wise  and  loving  em- 
phasis, "God's  children  are  all  jewels."  Seeing  the 
tears  start,  probably  at  the  remembrance  of  some  that 
might  hardly  rank  with  the  jewel  standard,  the  ques- 
tion w^as  ventured,  "Always  jewels.  Elder  Henry?" 
to  which  the  Christ-like  voice  quickly  answered,  "Yea, 
always  jewels;  good  or  bad,  my  love  never  changes !"^ 
What  a  beautiful  closing  to  the  kind  and  charitable 
career  of  one  of  the  Fathers  in  Israel ! 

Those  who  have  been  most  intimate  with  him  heart- 
ily witness  to  the  unalloyed  charity,  which  covers  as  a 
lovely  mantle  the  last  decade  of  Elder  Henry's  earthly 
experience. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


THE  WORK  GOES  ON. 
E.  Stirling. 

"The  hands  drop  off,  the  work  goes  on." 
These  words  occur  to  us  often,  as  we  witness  one 
100 


after  another  of  Zion's  staunch  and  loyal  supporters 
pass  from  our  midst.  More  especially  since  the  de- 
mise of  our  beloved  Elder  Henry  have  we  realized 
that  other  hands  are  taking-  up  the  Avork,  upon  other 
shoulders  have  fallen  the  burdens,  and  other  voices, 
though  familiar  ones,  are  maintaining  the  testimony 
which  he  was  wont  to  proclaim. 

Yea,  our  dear  father.  Brother,  friend,  you  and  your 
contemporaries  have  not  toiled  in  vain.  You  have 
loyal  sons  and  daughters,  whose  hearts  and  hands  are 
ready  to  further  the  work  to  which  you  devoted  your 
life.  We  cannot  think  that  you  have  really  left  us, 
we  are  sure  that  you  are  still  "near,  very  near,  to 
your  life's  dearest  interest,"  near  to  encourage,  to 
strengthen  and  to  bless  as  we  put  forth  renewed  efforts 
to  maintain  our  Zion  home  and  to  preserve  the  gospel 
of  Christ  in  all  its  pristine  purity. 

It  was  especially  Elder  Henry's  gift  to  write,  to 
speak,  to  preach  and  to  live  by  the  gospel  as  revealed 
through  ]\Iother  Ann.  It  was  by  this  means  that  he 
effectually  closed  all  avenues  to  the  spirit  of  the 
world.  He  was  a  scholar,  a  thinker,  a  reformer ;  but 
best  of  all,  he  was  a  disciplinarian  after  the  Christ 
pattern.  He  manifested  by  his  life  what  he  preached, 
that  all  true  reform  had  its  root  and  growth  in  in- 
creased self-denial  and  strict  adherence  to  fundamen- 
tal Christianity,  and  he  often  reminded  us  that  noth- 

101 


ing  was  so  near  like  the  genuine  (and  therefore  mis- 
leading) as  its  exact  counterfeit. 

It  was  our  privilege  to  care  for  Elder  Henry- 
through  months  of  sickness  and  pain,  and  during  that 
time  we  learned  many  lessons  of  self-control  and  self- 
forgetfulness  by  his  thoughtful  care  for  others,  les- 
sons which  will  live  in  our  memory  and  by  which  we 
hope  to  be  profited  while  life  lasts.  Nor  did  his  Chris- 
tian demeanor  change  as  physical  strength  failed.  To 
his  last  conscious  utterances  he  was  refined  in  manner, 
humble  in  spirit,  abounding  in  charity. 

His,  indeed,  was  a  beautiful  sunset,  long  to  be  re- 
membered by  those  who  witnessed  it.  Having  lived 
under  the  ministration  of  many  such  lives,  shared 
their  wise  counsels  and,  above  all,  observed  the  daily 
life  of  consecration  in  the  maintenance  of  Chi-istian 
loyalty,  we  can  best  emulate  their  example  by  heeding 
the  spirit  urging  us  to  follow  in  their  footsteps. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


PREMONITION. 
E.  Cochran. 

One  beautiful  Sabbath  morning  not  long  since,  I 
sat  by  the  open  windoAv  listening  to  the  sweet  strains 
of  music  borne  on  the  summer  breezes  as  they  floated 
in  from  the  chapel  not  far  distant,  where  the  Brethren 

103 


and  Sisters  had  assembled  for  divine  worship.  As  I 
listened,  my  thought  reverted  to  the  years  of  youth, 
when  I  enjoyed  many  beautiful  seasons  of  praise  and 
prayer  with  friends  long  since  departed.  The  words 
of  truth  which  had  fallen  so  pointedly,  yet  beautifully, 
from  the  lips  of  Eldress  Dorothy,  Eldress  Joanna, 
Sister  Mary  Whitcher  and  others,  seemed  to  fill  my 
soul  and  I  lived  again  the  convictions  which  those 
words  had  so  often  inspired.  They  were  uttered  with 
power  and  a  certainty  which  met  my  growing  aspira- 
tions, and  I  accepted  them  as  the  Bread  of  Life  for 
my  soul. 

As  thus  I  reflected,  I  became  oblivious  to  all  earthly 
surroundings  and  found  myself  alone  on  the  bank  of 
a  small  but  beautiful  stream.  Upon  the  opposite 
bank,  most  lovely  in  its  green  slope  to  the  water's 
edge,  stood  an  innumerable  company  of  saints,  some 
of  whom  I  readily  recognized.  They  were  singing 
and,  oh !  such  music,  I  never  heard  before  or  since.  I 
looked  up  and  saw  Eldress  Joanna,  Eldress  Dorothy 
and  Elder  Abraham  in  their  accustomed  places — lead- 
ers of  their  people.  Naturally,  I  queried  in  my  mind, 
"And  where  is  Elder  Henry?"  I  waited  for  some- 
time, enjoying  the  inspiration  which  the  hymns  of 
praise  brought  to  my  soul,  when  I  saw  the  ranks  part 
near  the  center  and  Elder  Henry,  with  grace  and  dig- 
nity, quietly  took  his  place  bj'  Elder  Abraham,  once 

103 


more  united  with  his  associates  in  official  trust  and 
burden.  The  singing  was  so  joyful  that  I  began  to 
realize  that  this  heavenly  host  had  particularly  assem- 
bled to  welcome  Elder  Henry,  as  he  passed  the  River 
of  Life,  and  that  they  were  rejoicing  in  his  happy 
transition  into  the  higher  realm. 

Returning  to  consciousness,  I  longed  to  retain  a 
little  of  that  heavenly  music  as  a  comfort  in  my  daily 
toil.  In  vain  did  I  attempt  to  recall  the  words  I  had 
heard  the  angels  sing,  though  the  memory  of  the  occa- 
sion brought  much  soul-refreshing  and  sweetened  the 
hours  of  labor. 

At  length,  several  days  after  the  occurrence,  these 
words  flashed  across  my  mind  like  a  streak  of  bright 
light,  accompanying  a  simple  tune  which  I  was  almost 
unconsciously  humming  to  myself: 

There's  a  peace  that  surpasseth  understanding 
And  joys  that  the  pure  in  heart  do  Imow, 
Who  have  followed  Christ,  our  Saviour, 
Over  mountain  and  through  valleys  low. 
O,  lead  us  still  on,  blessed  Saviour, 
Till  the  world  we  have  fully  overcome. 
Till  we  meet  with  thee  in  glory. 
And  hear  the  joyful  words,  "Well  done!" 

I  thus  received  my  little  measure  full  of  blessing 
and  have  treasured  it  sacredly  ever  since. 

The  whole  experience  seemed  very  real  to  me,  and 
104 


as  summer  advanced  into  autumn,  and  autumn  merged 
into  the  long  cold  winter,  I  watched  Elder  Henry's 
waning  strength  and  feeble  steps,  confident  that  his 
work  with  us  was  done  and  that  angel  friends  were 
gently  but  surely  drawing  him  away  from  earth,  and 
that  he  would  take  his  rightful  place  with  them  in  the 
heavenly  city. 

His  was  the  reward  of  a  life  well  spent  and  I  have 
the  assurance  that  he  was  lovingly  received,  yea,  joy- 
fully welcomed,  by  his  former  companions  in  trust. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


THE  REMEMBEEED  PROMISE. 
E.  B.  King. 

Gracefully,  beautifully,  the  lamp  of  life  bmnied 
low,  and  as  we  watched  the  fast  fading  rays  of  that 
bright  beacon  light  of  our  Church,  the  Easter  angels 
advanced  the  message,  "Not  here,  but  risen."  The 
lamp  is  gone  out,  for  the  soul  is  in  that  city  where 
' '  the  Lamb  is  the  Light  thereof. ' ' 

The  hoary  head,  the  Christly  presence,  the  noble  life 
have  so  gradually  and  peacefully  been  withdrawn  from 
our  midst,  that  it  seems  as  though  he  had  but  passed 
from  one  mansion  into  another  of  our  Father's  house. 
We  mourn  not  as  those  without  hope,  for  whither  he 
goes  we  yet  may  come ;  a  holy  life  the  passport  to 

105 


admit  ns  there.  Sacred  memories  will  ever  cluster 
about  the  name  so  revered  among  even  the  least  who 
knew  him. 

The  writer  enjoyed  many  happy  hours  with  him  in 
childhood,  and  through  youthful  days  was  conscious 
of  a  father's  interest  and  prayerful  solicitation  over 
the  faith  in  Christ,  which  God  was  unmistakably  en- 
graving on  a  wayward  heart.  Could  it  be  that  he 
loiew  the  hour  of  need,  when  the  soul  felt  called  to 
forsake  all  for  Christ's  sake  and  the  gospel?  Fully 
persuaded  that  the  only  right  way  for  me  was  to  enter 
the  narrow  path  which  led  to  life,  I  yet  feared  to 
take  a  bold  stand  for  Christ. 

Severe  and  varied  temptations  were  presented, 
wealth,  human  affections,  flattering  prospects  and 
even  methods  of  treachery  resorted  to,  if  I  would  take 
the  broad  path,  but  I  dare  not  lose  my  soul.  My  heart 
was  sorrowful  and  I  sought  to  forget  my  troubles  in 
loving  devotion  to  the  little  girls  who  were  under  my 
care,  when  I  was  met  one  morning  by  Elder  Henry 
with  the  query,  "Well,  Emma,  faithful  to  the  end?" 
Something  in  manner  and  in  tone  of  voice  put  new 
courage  into  my  heart,  and  I  caught  a  little  of  the 
inspiration  which  those  who  stood  near  Jesus  must 
have  realized,  when  he  said,  "  Be  of  good  cheer,  I  have 
overcome  the  world."  Confidently  came  the  reply, 
"Yea,  Elder  Henry,  faithful  to  the  end;  I  never  will 

106 


disappoint  you."  The  promise  has  been  a  talisman 
thus  far  through  life,  and  has  proved  such  a  blessing 
that  I  feel  I  owe  to  him  this  simple  token  of  regard. 

Now,  good  Elder  Henry,  we,  the  young  Christians 
who  have  witnessed  your  noble  career,  like  you,  will 
fight  the  good  fight,  will  finish  our  course.  "We  will 
keep  the  faith.  Yea,  we  will  be  faithful  to  the  end. 
We  never  will  disappoint  you. 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 


107 


WORDS  OF  SYMPATHY  FROI\I  FRIENDS. 

United  States  Senate, 
Washington,  D.  C. 
My  Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

I  beg  to  hand  you  a  few  words  in  appreciation  of 
the  late  Elder  Henry  C.  Blinn,  whose  friendship  I 
greatly  value. 

I  knew  Elder  Henry  for  many  j^ears,  having  been 
privileged  on  several  occasions  to  enjoy  his  generous 
and  open-hearted  hospitality  at  the  Shaker  community 
in  Canterbury. 

He  was  an  honest,  sincere  and  charming  man,  whose 
personal  traits  of  character  made  a  deep  impress  on 
the  minds  of  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him.  Genial 
and  warm-hearted  always,  he  had,  nevertheless,  a  dig- 
nity of  manner  that  marked  him  as  a  true  gentleman, 
and  made  him  literally  a  prince  among  men.  His 
life  was  unselfishly  devoted  to  the  good  of  his  fellow- 
men,  and  in  his  death  his  associates  and  the  commu- 
nity in  which  he  lived  lost  a  true  and  valued  friend 
and  citizen,  whose  place  it  will  be  hard  to  fill.  Such 
lives  not  only  shed  sunshine  and  cheer  while  they  re- 

108 


main  with  us,  but  their  influence  remains  through  all 
time,  an  encouragement  and  inspiration  to  others  to 
emulate  their  example. 

With  high  regards  and  good  wishes,  I  remain, 
Your  friend  as  always, 

J.  H.  Gallingee. 


Naval  Office, 
Custom  House,  Boston,  ]\Iass. 
To  THE  Shaker  Family, 
Canterbury,  N.  H. 

There  may  be  none  left  of  your  community  who 
remember  me  as  a  boy  in  Canterbury,  attending,  when 
at  home,  the  Sunday  services  of  the  Shakers. 

My  residence  in  town  was  from  1866  to  1879.  Much 
of  this  time  I  was  away  at  school  and  reading  law  at 
Concord.  Your  village  separated  my  part  of  the 
town  from  the  Baptist  district,  where  a  former  school- 
mate and  friend  resided.  We  frequently  met  at  the 
Shakers  on  Sunday  for  youthful  conferences  and  con- 
fidences, and  were  drawn  to  the  Shaker  meetings  by 
our  admiration  for  Elder  Henry  Blinn.  Our  ac- 
quaintance with  him  soon  ripened  into  friendship.  He 
numbered  among  these  none  more  attentive  than  we 
were,  and  perhaps  none  of  the  outside  world  who  bore 

109 


for  him  a  stronger  affection.     This  is  my  excuse  for 
writing  you  of  your  late  leader  and  guide. 

You  do  not  realize  what  an  influence  Elder  Blinn's 
life  exerted  in  the  world  beyond  your  community. 
By  precept  and  example  he  taught  the  way  of  right- 
eous living,  and  none  came  in  touch  with  him  who 
was  not  inspired  to  better  thoughts  and  deeds  by  his 
benign  presence.  His  kindly  manner,  his  gentle 
speech,  his  generous  thoughtfulness  of  others  were 
constant  contributions  to  the  well-being  of  his  fellow- 
men. 

Curiosity  brought  many  from  outside  to  your  pub- 
lie  service  in  those  days,  but  few  who  listened  to  Elder 
Henry  went  away  without  carrying  with  them  a 
brighter  picture  of  life. 

The  short  sermon  of  Elder  Henry  and  the  earnest 
testimony  of  Eldress  Dorothy  are  the  sweetest  recol- 
lections of  a  Sunday  visit  to  the  Shakers.  Their  sim- 
plicity and  eloquence  touched  all  hearts. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  listen  to  Elder  Henry  both 
in  my  youth  and  in  my  maturer  years,  and  the  charm 
of  his  speech  and  the  sincerity  of  his  convictions  im- 
pressed me  at  all  times  the  same.  Life  brought  to 
the  rest  of  us  changes,  but  yesterday,  todaj^  and  to- 
morrow he  was  the  same  tranquil  spirit,  throwing  out 
the  sweetness  of  his  nature  upon  all,  uplifting  all  by 
the  grandeur  of  his  character.     Men  were  drawn  to 

110 


him  by  an  inexpressible  something  which  commands 
the  deference  we  pay  to  those  nobler  than  ourselves. 
He  lived  the  simple  life,  but  it  was  grand  in  its  com- 
pleteness. None  could  listen  to  him  at  the  Shaker 
meetings  of  long  ago  and  not  feel  that  he  was  a  born 
leader  and  teacher  of  men. 

His  work  is  done,  but  he  survives  in  the  hearts  of 
all  those  who  were  brought  in  contact  with  his  activi- 
ties. 

With  sympathy  for  your  loss,  I  am 

Sincerely  yours, 

James  0.  Lyford. 


Avon,  Conn. 
My  Dear  Friend: 

So  Elder  Henry  has  gone  to  his  long  home  and  to 
the  great  family  of  God's  children  whom  he  has  gath- 
ered to  himself.  Surely,  Elder  Henry's  reward  must 
be  that  of  the  faithful  servant,  abounding  with  joy. 
I  saAv  him  but  for  a  few  minutes  once,  at  the  door  of 
the  office,  and  that  morning  you  took  me  to  his  shop, 
but  even  that  was  long  enough  for  me  to  see  the  kind- 
liness of  those  eyes  and  the  gentleness  of  his  spirit. 
When  you  told  him  that  I  was  studying  for  the  min- 
istry, do  you  remember  the  twinkle  in  his  eyes  with 
which  he  gave  a  playful  turn  to  his  reply,  ''I  have 

111 


known  a  great  many  ministers"?  I  have  often 
thought  of  that  look  so  full  of  fun,  so  illumined  by 
the  light  of  experience,  as  I  have  looked  at  his  pic- 
ture, which  stood  on  the  mantel  in  my  room  at  Yale. 
His  was  a  fine  face  and  told  of  sympathy  and  warmth 
of  heart,  of  keenness  of  mind  and  breadth  of  experi- 
ence. If  this  seems  a  good  deal  to  read  in  a  face  dur- 
ing a  brief  conversation  or  to  find  in  a  photograph, 
you  must  remember  that  I  have  read  everything  from 
Elder  Henry's  pen  that  I  could  find  in  print  and  that 
after  several  months  of  study  and  correspondence 
with  other  Elders,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  his 
statement  of  the  Shaker  faith  was  the  broadest,  the 
most  fundamental  and  the  most  progressive  of  the 
Shaker  publications. 

So,  I  feel  that  I  have  known  Elder  Henry  much 
better  than  might  seem  to  be  the  case  to  others  who 
have  had  longer  interviews  with  him. 

I  wish  to  express  to  all  the  friends  at  Canterbury 
my  sympathy  with  you  in  your  loss,  for  though  we 
may  rejoice  that  he  has  gone  to  his  Master,  yet  there 
is  ever  a  sadness  that  comes  to  those  remaining,  and 
a  vacant  place  once  filled  by  loved  ones. 

But  though  the  "weeping  may  endure  for  the  night,. 
joy  Cometh  in  the  morning." 

Let  us  then  rejoice,  for  the  Lord  is  good ;  His  mercy 
endureth  forever ;  let  us  rejoice  because  of  the  life  and 

113 


consecration  of  him  whom  we  mourn,  and  whose  death 
is  one  more  tie  that  binds  us  all  to  our  heavenly  home. 

' '  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled ;  ye  believe  in  God, 
believe  also  in  me."  These  are  the  words  of  greatest 
comfort  to  us  at  such  times,  and  when  we  add  to  them : 
' '  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden 
and  I  will  give  you  rest,"  we  have  a  psalm  of  life  to 
strengthen  our  faith,  to  comfort  us  in  sorrow,  and 
upon  which  to  build  our  hope,  till  the  doors  of  the 
many  mansions  above  shall  open  before  us  and  we 
are  in  the  presence  of  our  God  and  Father. 

One  could  not  doubt,  after  seeing  Elder  Henry, 
that  it  was  from  the  conviction  of  the  inly-written 
experience  of  his  life  that  he  wrote :  ' '  The  foundation 
of  the  Shaker  society  is  the  spirit  of  peace,"  nor  that 
he  had  earnestly  sought  as  the  goal  of  his  life  that 
"purity  of  heart"  of  which  he  wrote. 

It  should  be  a  cause  of  rejoicing  to  us  that  he  has 
now  passed  on,  to  receive  from  the  hands  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace  that  "peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing," and  that  he  is  now  with  his  heavenly 
Father  whom  only  the  "pure  in  heart"  can  see. 

With  my  very  best  respects  and  sympathy,  I  re- 
main, 

Yours  very  sincerely. 

Rev.  Ernest  F.  McGregor. 


113 


Providence.  R.  I. 
Kind  Friends: 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  express,  however  briefly,  my  ap- 
preciation of  Elder  Henry  C.  Blinn.  He  stands  out 
in  my  boyhood  recollection  a  most  interesting  and 
noble  figure.  His  position  in  the  Shaker  Church  gave 
him  a  certain  official  distinction,  which  was  fully  sus- 
tained by  the  worth  of  his  personal  character.  He 
was  the  recognized  exponent  of  his  faith  throughout 
New  England,  and  I  know  not  how  far  beyond. 

We  who  dwelt  near  and  yet  outside  the  Shaker  com- 
munity, all  recognized  the  sincerity  of  his  religious 
beliefs  and  the  integrity  of  his  moral  life.  His  was  a 
soul  which  knew  the  invigorating  grasp  of  strong  con- 
viction; his,  however,  was  a  tolerant  and  kindly  atti- 
tude toward  those  who  might  differ  from  him. 

His  mind  was  alert  and  progressive.  He  was  a  stu- 
dent. He  lived  near  to  nature  and  to  nature's  God, 
and  so  he  maintained  a  charming  simplicity  and  fresh- 
ness of  spirit. 

Dignified  in  manner  and  cordial  in  spirit,  interested 
in  people,  with  no  trace  of  mere  curiosity,  eager  to 
share  with  others  what  he  held  as  the  priceless  content 
of  his  faith,  but  never  obtrusive.  Elder  Henry  was  the 
model  of  a  Christian  gentleman.  No  man  could  be 
more  loyal  to  his  friends  than  he,  as  I  myself  can  bear 
grateful  witness. 

114 


Having  known  him  somewhat  intimately  all  my  life, 
I  am  sure  he  lived  contentedly  and,  in  its  highest 
sense,  happily.  The  Shaker  Church  was  his  household 
and  he  exercised  in  it  the  office  of  a  true  spiritual 
fatherhood. 

I  can  only  think  of  his  life  as  a  pure,  deep  river, 
flowing  in  the  sunlight  of  Heaven  unto  God,  its  source. 

Rev.  Carter  E.  Cate. 


June  19,  1905. 
To  Our  Shaker  Friends. 
Shaker  Village, 

East  Canterbury,  N.  H. 
The  general  esteem  with  which  the  late  honored 
Elder  Blinn  was  held  by  all  who  had  any  acquaintance 
■with  his  rare  personality  needs  no  attestation  from  us. 
As  a  man,  as  a  friend,  and  as  an  example  of  what  an 
individual  may  become  who  arrives  at  a  high  standard 
of  life,  Elder  Blinn  was  a  conspicuous  figure  among 
the  notable  men  of  our  state.  It  was  always  a  par- 
ticular pleasure  to  us  to  do  business  of  any  sort  with 
him.  As  he  was  a  frequent  caller  at  The  First  Na- 
tional Bank,  we  became,  as  was  expected,  very  good 
friends.  His  afi^ability,  his  oft-dropped  words  of  wit 
and  wisdom,  his  genial  smile  and  vitality  of  spirit  were 
most  welcome  in  our  place  of  business,  for  such  inter- 
course is  not  common. 

115 


It  gives  us  much  pleasure  to  ascribe  these  meagre 
words  of  praise  and  appreciation  to  our  departed  and 
honored  friend. 

Very  sincerely, 

W.  F.  Thayer, 
Chas.   G.  Remick. 


NORTHFIELD,  N.   H. 

Dear  Brethren  and  Sisters: 

Please  accept  the  heartfelt  sympathy  of  Mrs.  Wins-^ 
low  and  myself,  in  this  your  time  of  sorrow. 

We  were  very  much  saddened  on  hearing  of  Elder 
Henry's  death,  and  all  the  good  people  of  this  town 
M'ho  knew  dear  Elder  Blinn  will  surely  share  in  your 
sorrow,  for  it  can  truly  be  said,  the  loss  is  great,  and  a 
good  man  has  gone. 

Sincerely  yours, 
A.  Benjamin  Winslow. 


Providence,  R.  I. 
My  Dear  Friend: 

It  was  with  sadness  that  I  read  your  letter  bearing 
to  me  the  news  of  Elder  Blinn 's  death.  Only  a  few 
days  before,  upon  the  receipt  of  a  letter  from  my 
brother,  in  which  he  spoke  most  pleasantly  of  Elder 
Blinn,  I  determined  to  visit  Canterbury  this  summer 

116 


and  once  more  meet  the  splendid  man  whom  you  all 
so  fondly  loved  and  respected. 

I  very  much  regret  now  that  summer  after  summer 
has  passed  and  my  long-wished-for  visit  to  your  home 
has  been  postponed,  until  now  it  is  too  late  and  I  shall 
never  see  your  dear  one  again  in  this  life.  Please 
remember  me  in  deep  sympathy  to  all  the  family;  I 
still  hold  the  desire  to  visit  you  and  shall  try  to  do  so. 

Who  will  wear  his  mantle?  Do  you  know,  I  have 
sometimes  thought  it  would  fall  upon  your  shoulders? 
I  sincerely  hope  a  good  man  will  be  chosen. 

With  kindest  regards  to  all, 

Cordially  yours, 

C.  F.  T.  Easterbrooks. 


Canterbury,  N.  H. 
Our  Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

Father  wishes  me  to  express  to  you  our  deep  and 
heartfelt  sympathj^  in  your  sadness  at  the  passing 
away  of  one  who  has  ever  been  beloved  and  honored, 
not  merely  by  your  own  community,  but  by  all  his 
fellow  townspeople  as  well.  To  us  Elder  Henry  has 
always  seemed  a  near  and  dear  friend,  and  it  is  a  sad 
thought  that  his  almost  saintly  face  will  never  again 
kindly  welcome  us,  as  it  was  ever  wont  to  do. 

We  would  wish  to  pay  our  last  respects  by  attend- 
117 


ing  his  funeral,  if  this  would  be  admissible.  However, 
you  will  know  that  your  sorrow  is  ours,  and  that  our 
love  is  with  you. 

"With  sincere  regards  from  all  our  family,  in  whose 
behalf  I  write,  I  am 

Lovingly,  your  friend, 

Frances  L.  jMorrill. 


Boston,  IMass. 
Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

We  received  word  of  the  death  of  Elder  Henry 
Bliun  and  most  sincerely  sympathize  in  your  loss. 
His  was  indeed  a  noble  life,  full  of  example  and  bless- 
ing to  others;  such  a  character  never  dies,  but  lives 
ever  to  be  an  inspiration  and  support  to  those  who 
were  blessed  by  his  influence.  Thank  you  for  writing 
us.  With  love  to  all  our  dear  Shaker  friends. 
Faithfully  yours, 

LiLLIE  WeSTERVELT. 


Manchester,  N.  H. 
My  Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

The  sad  news  has  come  to  us  of  Elder  Henry's 
death.  We  extend  to  you  our  deepest  sympathy,  for 
we  remember  him  so  well;  his  kind  ways  and  gentle 
voice  so  like  my  father's. 

118 


I  am  sure  it  was  a  comfort  to  you  all  to  be  able  to 
minister  to  him  in  his  lingering  illness. 

One  by  one  our  clear  ones  among  the  Shakers  go 
from  us. 

With  love  and  sympathy  from  mother,  Nellie  and 

myself, 

I  am  ever  your  friend, 

Hattie  a.  Williams. 


Canterbury  Center,  N.  H. 
Dear  Friends: 

Your  letter  announcing  the  death  of  your  beloved 
Elder  Henry  Avas  received  j^esterday.  I  do  not  need 
to  assure  you  of  my  sincere  sympathy  in  your  great 
loss  and  sorrow.  Though  it  has  been  many  years  since 
I  have  seen  Elder  Blinn,  there  comes  to  me  a  sense  of 
loss, — almost  personal, — perhaps,  this  is  largely  be- 
cause the  world  always  seems  poorer  when  a  good  man 
dies — perhaps,  in  part  because  I  have  such  warm 
friends  in  your  community,  I  can  but  share  their  sor- 
row with  them. 

Elder  Henry  has  lived  long  and  well,  this  should 
comfort  you,  and  yet  the  very  fact  that  our  friends 
are  good  and  true  and  noble  makes  our  loss  the  greater 
when  they  pass  away. 

Your  community  has  been  greatly  blessed  and  is 
still  blessed,  in  having  many  strong  and  estimable  men 

119 


and  women  among  its  members.     Their  worthy  lives 
and  example  will  ever  be  an  inspiration. 

My  brother,  Albert,  joins  me  in  kind  feelings  of 
sympathy.  Your  letter  expresses  in  a  very  beautiful 
manner  your  estimate  of  the  character-  of  your  friend, 
Brother  and  spiritual  guide,  and  your  affection  for 
him;  and  indicates  the  large  place  Elder  Blinn  held 
in  the  affections  of  the  community.  That  you  may  all, 
in  this  time  of  trial,  find  comfort  from  the  highest  and 
truest  source  is  the  earnest  desire  of 

Your  sincere  friend, 

]\Iary  E.  Clough. 


Concord,  N.  H. 
Dear  Friends: 

Please  accept  my  sincere  sympathy  for  your  great 
loss  in  the  death  of  your  dear  Elder  Blinn,  a  good  man 
gone,  leaving  pleasant  memories,  a  comfort  to  you  all 
evermore. 

With  kind  regards, 

A.  S.  White. 


Boston,  ]\Iass. 
3Iy  Dear  Friends: 

Receiving  as  I  did  your  favor,  informing  me  of  the 
death  of  our  esteemed    friend    and    neighbor.  Elder 


120 


Blinn,  on  the  eve  of  my  departure  from  home,  I  could 
not  find  time  or  words  with  which  to  express  my  deep 
regret  and  most  sincere  sympathy.  The  passing  out 
of  a  good  man  is  a  loss,  indeed,  to  us  all. 

We  can  only  be  thankful  that  he  has  such  worthy 
successors. 

Ever  faithfully  yours, 

A.  P.  Shaw. 


Concord,  N.  H. 
Dear  Friends: 

]\Iost  gladly  do  I  place  on  record  my  personal  esti- 
mate of  Elder  Henry  Blinn. 

I  have  known  him  for  some  twelve  years,  meeting 
him  soon  after  I  became  a  resident  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

I  frequently  visited  him  among  his  own  people,  al- 
ways finding  him  the  type  of  courtesy  and  dignity. 

He  was  a  familiar  figure  on  the  streets  of  Concord ; 
his  erect  form  and  pleasant  face,  his  whole  carriage, 
evidencing  the  genuine  Christian  gentleman. 

To  talk  with  him  was  to  be  impressed  with  his 
richness  of  soul,  which  fashioned  his  countenance, — 
was  to  receive  an  inspiration  from  a  most  worthy  man. 
We  remember  him  only  for  good. 

Rev.  John  Vannevar, 
Pastor  UniversaUst  Church. 
121 


Murray  Hill  Hotel,  New  York. 
Our  Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

While  the  inevitable  has  come  and  our  dear  Elder 
Henry  Blinn  has  passed  away  to  his  -well-earned  re- 
ward, we  could  not  repress  a  shock  when  your  letter 
reached  us,  announcing  the  fact. 

His  life  and  character  was  a  most  interesting  and 
charming  one.  He  was  in  my  thoughts  very  often  and 
I  should  have  loved  to  have  seen  and  conversed  with 
him  once  more.  I  could  not  single  out  our  dear 
friend,  but  I  feel  very  close  to  the  ones  on  the  other 
side. 

Faithfully  your  friend, 

B.  H.  Yard. 


Dorchester,  Mass. 
Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

I  notice  by  this  morning's  paper  that  my  old  friend 
and  brother,  Elder  Henry,  has  crossed  the  stream. 

"While  this  inevitable  course  of  nature  casts  a  mo- 
mentary shade  of  sorrow  over  hearts  that  feel  the  ties 
of  earth,  it  is  a  beautiful  and  true  thought  that  there 
is  no  place  in  the  universe  that  is  not  a  center  of  ac- 
tivity, and  that  he  has  simply  transferred  his  life  to  a 
higher  plane.  And  then,  God  be  praised,  the  veil  that 
hangs  between  these  two  worlds  has  become  very  thin, 
and  the  suggestion  for  those  who  can  see  and  believe 

122 


is  only  a  Tasrue  imagination.  For  there  is  a  sense  that 
the  vulgar  know  not,  and  the  A'oices  of  the  departed 
breathe  softly  and  frequently  to  those  who  can  unite 
the  Memory  with  Faith. 

The  close  of  this  life  is  no. cessation  of  life  to  our 
brother,  but  the  beginning  of  another  epoch  of  this 
life  on  a  higher  plane.  I  cannot  agree  with  the  pessi- 
mistic Psalmist  who  moans  out  the  sentence,  "The 
place  thereof  that  knew  him  shall  know  him  no  more. ' ' 
I  am  certain  that  you  will  sensibly  feel  his  presence 
in  your  midst  more  than  often.  I  congratulate  him 
on  the  serene  life  which  fell  to  his  lot  here,  which  has 
now  merged  into  the  higher  life,  of  which  we  get  but 
glimpses, — I  congratulate  you  that  that  life  was 
passed  among  you. 

May  the  Divine  Peace  that  beautified  his  life  rest 
ever  with  you  all ! 

With  kindest  hopes  for  the  happiness  and  prosperity 
of  the  family  in  Canterbury,  who  are  very  dear  to  me, 
I  remain. 

Sincerely  yours, 

James  R.  Phelps. 


Paterson,  X.  J. 
Beloved  Sisters: 

Your  kind  letter  came  to  me  the  other  daj',  and  in 
it  you  invite  me  to  send  a  few  lines  in  memory  of 

123 


Elder  Henry.  I  have  but  few  words  to  say.  Elder 
Henry  was  always  good  to  me.  Divine  love  and  wis- 
dom is  ours  to  worship.  That  we  ought  to  love  the 
Shakers  is  right,  for  I  have  always  felt  them  to  be  men 
and  women  seeking  to  walk  the  narrow  way.  We  must 
eventually  all  pass  the  straight  gate,  retaining  nothing 
that  would  be  an  offense  to  the  kingdom  and  queen- 
dom  of  Heaven. 

Elder  Henry,  as  a  genuine  Shaker,  has  closed  his 
work.  May  we  ever  have  the  grace  to  love  and  wor- 
ship the  true  Christ  spirit. 

Your  brother, 

Hamilton  Arxot. 


Concord,  N.  H. 
Dear  Friends: 

An  acquaintance  with  Elder  Henr}^  dating  back 
many  years,  has  left  an  impression  of  a  noble  char- 
acter. 

How  well  one  recalls  the  classic  face  and  the  gentle, 
yet  firm,  bearing! 

I  never  met  a  man  who  seemed  more  sincere  and 
true,  and  with  it  all,  the  memory  of  his  rare  smile  and 
hearty  hand-clasp  will  be  ever  present  until  we  meet 
again. 

Sincerely  yours, 

W.  G.  C.  Kimball. 
124 


Concord,  N.  H. 
My  Shaker  Friends: 

You  have  met  with  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  Elder 
Henry  Blinn.  Every  member  of  the  Shaker  commu- 
nities in  New  Hampshire  has  lost  a  beloved,  personal 
friend,  and  I,  a  dear,  long-time  friend  and  acquaint- 
ance, one  who  had  often,  in  past  years,  looked  in  upon 
me  at  my  store,  his  face  beaming  with  happiness  and 
ready  with  a  kind  word  which  cheered  me  the  entire 
day.  We  shall  see  his  pleasant  face  and  hear  his 
kindly  greeting  no  more,  but  we  shall  long  remember 
him  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  a  man  of  pure  integ- 
rity, wise  and  cautious  in  his  dealings  with  men,  be- 
loved and  honored  by  all. 

With  kindest  regards, 

Edson  C.  Eastman, 


Concord,  X.  H, 
Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

It  was  so  kind  and  friendly  of  you,  writing  to  us 
those  particulars  about  the  death  of  Elder  Henry 
Blinn,  and  the  mouths  just  preceding  his  death.  We 
did  not  arrive  home  from  our  trip  to  Southern  Cali- 
fornia until  the  early  part  of  April,  and  to  hear  that 
Elder  Henry  had  passed  on  to  his  next  home  was  a 
sad  piece  of  news. 

To  be  sure,  we  had  missed  his  person  on  our  streets 
125 


for  many  months,  but  that  was  not  like  giving  him 
up  altogether.  It  was  such  a  pleasure  to  visit  with 
him  and  one  always  could  bring  away,  after  an  inter- 
view with  him,  helpful  and  pleasant  memories.  His 
Christ-like  character,  daily  before  you,  must  have 
helped  you  to  better  living. 

I  like  to  recall  those  happy  days  when  Eldress  Dor- 
othy, Eldress  Joanna  and  Elder  Henry  were  your 
worthy  leaders.  I  do  not  forget  dear  Sisters  Mary 
Whitcher,  Sarah  Woods  and  others,  whose  names  es- 
cape me.  Everything  was  so  prosperous  and  happy. 
I  used  to  visit  you  often  in  the  long  ago. 

You  younger  classes  have  shining  examples  to  pat- 
tern after ;  and  so  far  as  I  know  you,  you  do  credit  to 
your  earlier  training. 

With  best  hopes  for  you,  who  have  great  respon- 
sibilities resting  upon  you,  and  with  loving  interest  in 
the  well-being  of  your  large  family,  believe  me, 
Your  very  sincere  friend, 

Frances  A.  Blanchard. 


Concord,  N.  H.,  June  1,  1905. 
Dear  Shaker  Friends: 

An  acquaintanceship  with  the  late  Elder  Blinn  en- 
deared him  to  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  but 
none  admired  his  uprightness  of  character  and  hon- 

126 


esty  of  purpose  in  life  more  than  the  undersigned. 
He  was  the  soul  of  honor,  and  years  of  business  rela- 
tions with  him  as  printers  simply  added  to  our  love 
and  respect  for  him  as  a  friend  and  fellow-citizen. 
In  all  the  walks  of  life  he  was  an  inspiration  to  all 
around  him,  and  we  join  in  sympathy  with  those  who 
mourn  the  loss  of  a  dearly-beloved  friend. 
Yours  sincerely, 

RuMFORD  Printing  Co. 


PRESS   NOTICES. 

Concord,  N.  H.,  April  2,  1905.  Henry  Clay  Blinn, 
for  many  years  an  elder  and  minister  in  the  Shaker 
community  at  Canterbury,  died  at  4.20  o'clock  on 
Saturday  afternoon,  April  1,  his  illness  covering  a 
period  of  many  years. 

"Elder  Henry"  was  widety  known  and  respected. 
On  the  23d  of  August,  1863,  he  was  drafted  into  mili- 
tary service  but,  through  the  kindness  of  the  authori- 
ties, a  "furlough  until  called  for"  was  obtained — a 
furlough  uninterrupted  until  the  summons  of  death 
marshaled  him  into  the  "Grand  Army  of  the  Peace- 
makers."— The  Boston  Herald. 


Concord,  N.  H.,  April  2.     Elder  Henry  Clay  Blinn, 
aged  80  years,  a  Shaker  of  almost  international  prom- 

127 


inence,  and  long  time  elder  and  minister  of  the  Shaker 
community  at  East  Canterbury,  N.  H.,  died  there  late 
yesterday  afternoon. 

He  had  been  ill  for  several  years,  but  the  fatal  turn 
only  came  about  ten  days  ago,  since  when  he  rapidly 
declined.  The  kindly  old  man  had  for  long  years 
been  known  as  "Elder  Henry,"  a  name  which  was 
dear  to  a  very  wide  circle  of  true  friends  at  his  own 
home  and  abroad.  Many  summer  visitors  from  all 
parts  of  the  country  to  the  peaceful  settlement  at  East 
Canterbury  will  remember  this  kindly  spirit  and  sin- 
cerely grieve  at  his  passing  away. 

From  his  young  manhood,  he  occupied  the  highest 
positions  of  care  and  responsibility  among  his  now  be- 
reaved people.  In  the  order  of  Elders  he  officiated 
24  years,  and  for  an  equal  term  presided  in  the  min- 
istry over  the  two  societies  in  New  Hampshire,  Enfield 
and  Canterbury.  He  was  appointed  one  of  the  trus- 
tees with  Elder  James  S.  Kaime  in  1891,  which  posi- 
tion he  occupied  until  his  death. — The  Boston  Globe. 


Henry  Clay  Blinn,  for  many  years  an  elder  and 
minister  in  the  Shaker  community  at  Canterbury,  died 
at  4.20  o'clock  on  Saturday  afternoon,  April  1.  His 
illness  covered  a  period  of  many  years.  A  change  in 
his  condition  developed  on  Tuesday  last  and  hence- 

128 


forward  the  decline  was  very  rapid.  ''Elder  Henry," 
as  he  was  generally  called,  was  widely  known  and 
highlj^  respected  both  at  home  and  abroad.  He  was 
born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  July  16,  1824. 

In  speaking  of  the  death  of  Elder  Bliun,  a  member 
of  the  Canterbury  community,  who  was  closely  asso- 
ciated with  him,  said : 

"  *A  prophet  is  not  without  honor  save  in  his  own 
country,'  cannot  be  said  of  Elder  Henry.  From  the 
hearts  of  his  people  rises  the  richest  p«an  today,  from 
the  lips  of  those  who  know  him  best  comes  the  truest 
honor.  He  has  reared  an  imperishable  monument  by 
the  sincerity  of  his  consecration.  Friends,  far  and 
near,  join  in  sympathy  for  the  bereavement  that  has 
come  to  them,  and  unite  in  honoring  the  life  of  the 
deceased." — A".  H.  Patriot  (Concord). 


Teacher,  writer,  administrator — Elder  Henry  C. 
Blinn  of  the  Canterbury  Shakers  had  a  long  and  use- 
ful life  in  New  Hampshire  and  has  gone,  after  four- 
score years  of  activity,  to  an  undoubted  reward.  With 
him  passes  the  embodiment  of  most  of  the  traditions 
of  old-time  Shakerism,  though  it  was  due  to  him  in 
large  measure,  also,  that  Shakerism  adapted  itself  to 
modern  life  and  maintained  itself  in  the  face  of  ad- 
verse social  conditions.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  mind. 
»  139 


clear  perceptions  and  splendid  personal  appearance,  a 
natural  leader  who  did  a  great  work. — Ed.  Concord 
Evening  Monitor. 


VALEDICTORY. 

(We  take  pleasure  in  presenting  the  following 
touching  address, — the  last  words  spoken  in  public 
by  Elder  Henry,  May,  1904.  Perhaps,  no  closing 
more  appropriate  could  be  added.) 

"I  have  been  considering  for  many  weeks  the  ad- 
visability of  making  the  attempt  to  express  my 
thoughts  in  public.  I  feel  a  little  tremulous  even 
now,  but  that  is  simply  the  result  of  weakness.  I  can- 
not tell  how  long  this  feeling  will  last,  whether  it  will 
pass  away  or  whether  it  will  grow  upon  me.  For  the 
past  two  years,  I  have  not  added  my  testimony  in 
Service  on  this  account. 

"As  an  old  man,  it  is  difficult  for  me  to  express 
what  I  want  to  say;  but  I  can  look  back  upon  the  20 
consecutive  years,  when  the  responsibility  of  guiding 
the  public  meetings  rested  upon  me.  Now,  I  feel  that 
I  almost  take  the  place  of  a  child  again.  It  is  much 
with  me  in  this  respect  as  it  was  with  St.  Peter. 
When  I  was  young  I  led  others,  but  now  I  am  old,  I 
put  forth  my  hand  and  another  doth  lead  me. 

"I  wish  I  was  able  to  do  more  to  help  sustain  the 

130 


testimony  of  Christ;  but  I  can  only  say  to  you,  who 
are  the  active  workers  of  today,  as  Paul  said,  'Weary 
not  in  well-doing'.'  You  have  my  eternal  interest, 
and  I  want  to  thank  all  who  have  eared  for  me  and 
shown  me  so  ranch  kindness.  We  are  all  on  the  same 
road,  Brethren  and  Sisters;  God  protect  us!" 


131 


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